Jurgen Klopp has vowed to play Liverpool’s kids in their FA Cup replay with Shrewsbury as it clashes with the Premier League’s winter break.
And the Liverpool manager insists neither he nor his Champions League-winning senior stars will even be there.
Klopp was unimpressed with the Premier League leaders’ display at League One Town on Sunday as the hosts rallied from 2-0 down to earn a replay.
The return is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, which clashes with a week-long holiday Klopp has already promised the Club World Cup winners in their agreed top-flight break, which runs from February 2 to February 16.
He confirmed development coach Neil Critchley will again be in charge after bossing a young Liverpool side in a 5-0 League Cup exit at Aston Villa last month when the seniors were in Qatar.
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“We will not be there and it will be the kids,” said Klopp, when asked about the replay.
“I know that is not very popular.
“In April 2019 we got a letter from the Premier League where they ask us to respect the winter break and not to organise international friendlies or competitive games.
“We respect that. I said to the boys already two weeks ago that we will have a winter break.
“We have to respect the players’ welfare.
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“They need a rest – a mental rest and physical rest. That is what the winter break is about.
“We had to make these decisions before because the players have families.
“International players like Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Gigi Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah, Saido Mane, all these guys, they never have (time) off.
“So this is the moment when it was clear months ago that there would be a winter break.
“They don’t have a week off, they train for themselves.
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“They have running programmes and fitness programmes.
“But they won’t come to Melwood and they don’t play a football game.”
Klopp felt Shrewsbury deserved their draw after creating plenty of chances and rallying from Curtis Jones’ first-half opener and Donald Love’s second-half horror own goal.
The German added: “I have to say congratulations to Shrewsbury because it was the minimum they deserved with the chances they had.
“But for us it is not a wonderful football day, obviously.”
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Scottish striker Jason Cummings pulled a goal back from the spot in the 65th minute before levelling in the 75th minute.
The forward, who has seven goals this term, said: “I am delighted to score against the best team in the world. It is fantastic for the club.
“I had to fight a few of the lads off for the penalty. I am always confident taking penalties, but I am glad it went in.
“The second one I just kept my head down and thankfully it went in.”
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Looking ahead to the replay next week, Cummings added:“Anfield will be massive now. The boys will be up for it.
“We are not biggest club financially but it will be good for us.”
