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Jurgen Klopp wasn't present for Liverpool's win in the 2020 FA Cup fourth round on Tuesday night, but his words before and during the game inspired the club's youngest-ever team.
U23 manager Neil Critchley took charge for the replay against Shrewsbury Town, a game Liverpool won 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Ro-Shaun Williams at Anfield. Critchley was in the dugout because Klopp and Liverpool's senior players had foregone the game to participate in a winter break enforced by the Premier League for the first time this season.
It was a contentious decision, but Klopp did at least motivate the all-academy lineup, according to Critchley, per David Maddock of the Daily Mirror:
"The boss was in touch this afternoon with some words of encouragement and advice.