Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he was pleased with the efforts of Liverpool’s young stars in yesterday’s FA Cup fourth-round 0-0 draw with West Ham United.
SEE MORE: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham: FA Cup highlights & report (Teixeira should grab winner)
The German made 10 changes to the side which progressed to the Capital One Cup final in midweek, including throwing in a handful of our academy lads.
Although they could not get us over the line at Anfield, it was the younger players who impressed as opposed to senior names such as Christian Benteke.
We thought Cameron Brannagan was particularly good in midfield, and Klopp had some good things to say about Kevin Stewart, Jerome Sinclair and Sheyi Ojo.
SEE MORE: Liverpool player ratings v West Ham – Stewart & Brannagan impress
The Liverpool Echo quotes Klopp as saying: “Kevin Stewart was at Swindon Town five weeks ago, they did really well. Brad Smith big step in right direction. That’s really cool. Ojo came in and did well, so did Jerome Sinclair.
“It’s a lot of potential and that’s important – the players have to show it but you have to show you see them. That’s what we tried today.
“If they could have played that good how I trust them, then it would have been better, because it can be better. But it was good, really good, I’m pleased with this.”
The draw means that we face the prospect of eight games throughout February, and Klopp suggested that the youngsters will get another chance in the replay.
He could not help but have another dig at the hectic schedule of English football, which will see us play in four different competitions throughout the next month.
He added in the Echo: “The boys deserved to win but it is like it is. We will have a team for West Ham and maybe it’s not too far from away from this one today.
“I do not know when they will find a place for this game. Perhaps it will be in the morning before we play a game in the afternoon.
“We have another game against Everton [that was postponed] so they have to find a place for it. The things we did until now are good things – getting into the next round and going to the final – but all we have done is create more games. That’s the situation.
“Nothing to moan about, it is how it is. But we have to decide who we send into the game.”
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