Rio Ferdinand questions Jurgen Klopp’s FA Cup replay decision

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Reds manager Jurgen Klopp should be in attendance for Liverpool’s FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury Town at Anfield next week.

Having drawn 2-2 at the New Meadow on Sunday night, Liverpool were forced into a replay against Shrewsbury Town.

Klopp has no intentions of playing any of his senior players in the replay, as he is looking to honour the inaugural Premier League winter break.

Klopp also stated that Neil Critchley, who is Liverpool’s under-23 manager, will take charge of the young side that face Shrewsbury Town in the replay next week, which has not gone down well with Ferdinand.

“When you are a successful team, you are fighting on all fronts and Liverpool are doing that. I totally understand you have to shuffle your pack,” Ferdinand told BT Sport’s coverage.

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SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Harvey Elliot of Liverpool and Ro-Shaun Williams of Shrewsbury Town during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Shrewsbury Town and Liverpool at New Meadow on January 26, 2020 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

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“He wants to make sure his squad remains fresh and if he thinks he can get through to the next round with a younger team, then so be it. It’s a great experience for those players.

“The only issue I have and he’s taking a liberty in some ways is if he’s not actually going to be in the dugout.

“That’s where I draw the line. I think the manager should be in the dugout for every game.

“It doesn’t matter whether he’s putting out a depleted squad or not.”

Perhaps Ferdinand has a point, but there appears to be a motive behind this decision from Klopp.

He clearly does not rate the competition, and when you are challenging for Premier League titles and Champions League trophies, it is not difficult to understand why.

Klopp has made it clear in the past that he does not want to have to deal with replays in this competition. He would rather the game go to a penalty shootout, but the FA obviously don’t agree.

Perhaps he is trying to prove a point to the FA?

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Source: anfieldhq.com