Liverpool’s youngsters produced a composed performance to dispatch League Two Exeter City 3-0 in the FA Cup third round replay at Anfield.
Goals from Joe Allen, Sheyi Ojo and Joao Carlos Teixeria gave Jurgen Klopp‘s the victory, with plenty of impressive performances from the young Reds.
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/689929836488433664
Some very good performances from the young lads tonight. Played some excellent stuff at times. Well in red men.
— Stephen Evans (@StephenEvans75) January 20, 2016
Brad Smith assisted Allen’s opening goal, with a lovely run and cutback for the Welshman.
Comfortable victory.The 'kids' did well with Brad Smith particularly good. Feel for Benteke he is lacking confidence..get in the box! #LFC
— Chris Wellman (@Tiff5757) January 20, 2016
With the likes of Smith, Teixeira, Kevin Stewart, Connor Randall all starting again, it was another positive night for the club’s academy.
Good night for the Liverpool youngsters and everybody at the Academy
— Mark Lumsden (@lfclumo) January 20, 2016
Preparation time evident – a solid performance from a majority academy side. All praise to Mick Beale & co for their development work. #LFC
— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) January 20, 2016
Should have been 5 or 6 nil really. Great performance by our youngsters. Have to give Stewart or Ibe MotM. Benteke's got no hope it seems
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) January 20, 2016
FT: 3-0. Wonderful moments for Ojo and Texeira. Some good, solid performances from the youngsters in that 90 mins. Good to see Flanno back.
— James Phillips (@JJP_LFC) January 20, 2016
‘Never say never’ in the forums writes:
That was fun. It’s nice to see energy, drive, and enthusiasm. The kids looked good, brad smith in particular.
Jordon Ibe was also a big positive, and he was unlucky not to score his first goal at Anfield when his shot hit the underside of the bar and narrowly didn’t cross the line.
For all the positives, much of the post-match and in-match talk revolved around Christian Benteke’s performance, with the Belgian forward missing several very good opportunities.
Michael Owen‘s commentary on BT Sport highlighted Benteke’s lack of movement, with the forward several times lingering on the edge of the box rather than getting in the box to attack crosses.
Brilliant that from Benteke! But Michael Owen was also spot just before the goal, get in the box!!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 20, 2016
I Think benteke needs to work on movement!when balls go wide,he's too Static.Hes Gotta Go beyond the far post,so he can attack the crosses!
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) January 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/689928606076801025
Benteke had two or three good headed chances in the first half but failed to test the keeper.
Benteke really is useless. Thats 3 1 on 1 chances in recent weeks & he gets worse. He’s utterly brainless & doesn’t seem capable of learning
— Slotto(97)?????? (@97RedSlots) January 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/CraigFroude/status/689931281338126336
https://twitter.com/TheFamousKop/status/689932959504297984
The other positive from the night was the return of Jon Flanagan on 50 minutes – receiving a standing ovation at Anfield on his first appearance for 18 months. Scouse Cafu is back!
I have a thousand tweets! I guess it's the return of a friend to the field!!! @LFC
— Cafu (@officialcafu) January 20, 2016
‘Nick_LFC’ in the forums writes:
Great performance by the kids, they kept Mignolet with nothing to do, they have to get some credit for that.
Allen was good, great movement, clinical finish. Ibe’s usual directness was stellar, kept them o the back foot.
Incredible technique by Ojo, great to see, he had no idea how to celebrate that though, the look on his face was priceless!
‘El Toro’ writes:
Really nice work from all the youngsters.
Teixera & Ibe the stand-outs for me but Smith, Brannagan etc all had nice games. Ojo looked bright when he came on.
Little bit of a sad state of affairs that Benteke might have been our worst player on the pitch?
Watch the goals:
Watch all the goals as @LFC see off @OfficialECFC in the #EmiratesFACup third round. https://t.co/BJzci8FNJM
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2016
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LIVERPOOL 3-0 EXETER CITY
- MATCH REPORT: Reds cruise into FA Cup fourth round
- PLAYER RATINGS: Ibe wins Man of the Match
- TACTICAL REVIEW: Klopp’s go-to formations unsettle Exeter City
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