2 years ago
Liverpool's 4-1 FA Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town at Anfield
So Liverpool's tumultuous and chaotic week of uncertainty comes to an end on a high note.
After a week of COVID diagnoses, training ground closures, and hasty requests for fixture postponements, the Reds will at least continue on their FA Cup journey, which has taken on added significance in recent weeks.
As the number of cases increased and the AXA Centre was closed before the EFL confirmed Thursday's semi-final with Arsenal would be rescheduled, it was anyone's guess how strong the hosts would be here.
With no real training taking place and the number of cases unknown, it was far from ideal preparation for Jurgen Klopp, who spent the majority of the week at his Merseyside home isolating himself after his own positive result became public.
The nature of the buildup allowed many to recall the last time Liverpool faced Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup, two years ago, when Klopp stuck to his guns of a pre-planned mid-winter break to allow an Under-23 side captained by Klopp to play.
After all of the uncertainty surrounding the team's composition, Klopp, who was cleared to return to the dugout, was able to name a strong spine to a side that was decorated with eager young players.
And impress they did, coming back from a setback to secure a 4-1 victory.
Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, and Ibrahima Konate all started as Andy Robertson made his first appearance since being sent off against Tottenham Hotspur on December 19.
Jones was also able to make his first start since late October, as Max Woltman made his senior debut in a front three that included the excellent Kaide Gordon.
After barely a kick, Shrewsbury took the lead when Nathanael Ogbeta's teasing cross was turned home by Daniel Udoh, sending the away fans into a frenzy.
The prospect of the visitors escaping with a victory would have been a day to forget for Klopp, regardless of the lack of proper preparation.
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