LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 20, 2016: Liverpool's Christian Benteke in action against Exeter City's captain Matt Oakley during the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool fans react to win over Exeter and Benteke’s performance

Liverpool’s youngsters produced a composed performance to dispatch League Two Exeter City 3-0 in the FA Cup third round replay at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 20, 2016: Liverpool's Joao Carlos Teixeira celebrates scoring the third goal against Exeter City during the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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

Brad Smith assisted Allen’s opening goal, with a lovely run and cutback for the Welshman.

With the likes of Smith, Teixeira, Kevin Stewart, Connor Randall all starting again, it was another positive night for the club’s academy.

‘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.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 20, 2016: Liverpool's Christian Benteke in action against Exeter City's captain Matt Oakley during the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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.

https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/689928606076801025

Benteke had two or three good headed chances in the first half but failed to test the keeper.

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!

‘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:

[interaction id=”56a0002c8b03d1a947686c92″]