Liverpool vs Shrewsbury: Five things we learned from the FA Cup fourth round replay as Curtis Jones stars

Liverpool 1-0 Shrewsbury: The young Reds clinched a memorable victory when Shrews defender Ro-Shaun Williams inadvertently steered the ball past his keeper to gift an own goal

1) Jones is a bona fide star

It might sound like a ridiculous comparison for a player who only turned 19 last week, but at times watching Curtis Jones strut across the Anfield turf was to be reminded of a young Ronaldinho. Wearing the captain’s armband while the senior Liverpool players enjoyed their winter break (the youngest captain in Liverpool history), Jones flourished once more on the big stage, producing delicious chops, Cruyff-turns and even a rabona cross as he showed supreme self-confidence, even a positive streak of arrogance. It was compelling to watch, and Jones left the impression of the kind of player who fans will pay good money just to see in the flesh for years to come. If this was an audition for a more regular place in the first-team squad, Jones nailed it. He is ready for much, much more.

2) Clarkson finds top gear

If Curtis Jones was the poster boy of this young Liverpool team’s performance, Leighton Clarkson was its understated director, so effective in midfield you hardly noticed him. Clarkson, 18, was making only his second appearance for the senior side but showed maturity beyond his years, snapping into tackles and dictating the tempo from the quarterback position. If the Liverpool senior squad has a weak spot it is a lack of depth behind Fabinho, where Jordan Henderson or Geoginio Wijnaldum are asked to fill in, yet in Clarkson they have a potential ready-made understudy in the coming years.

3) Klopp’s no-show forces replay debate

While it was undoubtedly a brilliant opportunity for Liverpool’s young players, who delivered on their rare chance to play on the Anfield stage, it was hard to ignore the debate around FA Cup replays which rumbles on in the background. Jurgen Klopp’s decision not to attend the match was a snub for a competition which has been bumped off its pedestal in recent times. Managers throughout the leagues are calling for an end to replays, and even if the evening served up some good entertainment, it seems the power of Klopp and co will surely force change, if only because nothing else in the calendar can afford to give.

4) VAR – again

Video Assistant Referee technology has been the other big debate making headlines this week, after a survey revealed most fans think it has made football less entertaining. This time it was an offside call which took a long time to be given, and which denied Shrews’ Shaun Whalley a goal at Anfield and what would have been one of the most memorable moments of his career. Replays showed VAR did just about get to the correct decision, but it seemed another call which sucked a little joy out of the game on its way there.

5) Liverpool really have it all

We already knew Liverpool have a brilliant manager, an all-conquering team, an intelligent hierarchy and recruitment setup, an historic stadium and a giant fanbase too. It seems they also have a brilliant pipeline of young talent to call upon. These are exceptionally good times for the Anfield club.