Liverpool 2-2 Shrewsbury Town: Liverpool Player ratings
It was meant to be a routine win and it looked to be just that with an hour played. Liverpool have only themselves to blame as they gave up a two-goal lead against League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Youngster Curtis Jones scored his second goal in as many FA Cup games to give the Reds an early lead. An own goal by Donald Love doubled Liverpool’s lead immediately after the break.
The goal should have killed off the tie, instead substitute Jason Cummings reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 65th minute. Shrewsbury pushed for an equalizer and were rewarded when Cummings once again popped up to make it 2-2 twenty minutes later.
With a replay beckoning, Klopp brought on the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to clinch a win. Firmino had an effort cleared off the line whereas Salah had a last-minute header go just wide.
It would be fair to say that Shrewsbury earned a well-deserved draw and have now been rewarded with a trip to Anfield on February 5th.
Let’s take a look at how the players fared in the 2-2 draw at New Meadow.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Adrian (8/10)
Liverpool’s best player on the night. The Spaniard was alert and saved well against Shaun Whalley and Callum Lang. Performed admirably after being let down by his defence on multiple occasions.
Yasser Larouci (5/10)
This was the youngster’s first senior start for the club. He was full of energy and got forward with intent. However, he wasn’t able to convert the enthusiasm into anything effective. Unlucky to have conceded a penalty with the foul occurring just outside the box.
Joel Matip (4/10)
The Cameroonian returned after a lengthy injury layoff and his lack of game time showed. Was sloppy in possession and was twice responsible for disrupting the Reds’ offside trap. Lacked rhythm, which only seemed to get worse in the second half. Was taken off for Mohamad Salah as Liverpool looked for a winner.
Dejan Lovren (4/10)
He needs to cut down on his aggression and read the game with calmness. Tried too hard to assert his dominance. The stand-in captain for the night, the Croatian international did not have the best of games. Should have done better to prevent Shrewsbury’s equalizer.
Neco Williams (7/10)
The best of Liverpool’s defenders on the night. It was another promising performance by the youngster. Was always available for overlaps on the right flank and crossed with intent. He was defensively solid and almost assisted Takumi Minamino. Provided the cross for the own goal as Donald Love put it into his own net.
Fabinho (4.5/10)
An uncharacteristically poor display by the Brazilian given the standards he has set for himself. Another player making his first start after an injury, Fabinho looked out of sorts and was rusty in possession. Played the 90 minutes as he looks to regain match fitness and stepped into central defence in place of Matip for the last 10 minutes.
Pedro Chirivella (6/10)
Kept possession well and passed the ball around with ease. Looked overwhelmed in defence as Shrewsbury drove at him.
Curtis Jones (7/10)
Showed a good work rate and made forward runs often. Scored his second goal in as many FA Cup games with a neat finish early in the match. Almost scored another late on to win the game for his side.
Takumi Minamino (5/10)
Another tough outing for the January signing. He still looks to be coming to terms with the Reds’ style of play and wasn’t on the same wavelength as the others at times. Was committed and showed energy and a willingness to fight. Faded in the second half and was subbed off for Roberto Firmino late on.
Divock Origi (5/10)
An uninspiring performance by the senior Liverpool striker on the day. The Belgian was largely quiet and only came to life in the last 20 minutes.
Harvey Elliott (5/10)
Probably his worst performance in a Red shirt so far. Will have been a learning curve for the youngster as he struggled to impose himself in the game. He gave away the ball often and was largely ineffective.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (5.5/10)
Came on for the ineffective Elliott and slotted in on the left. Fired a freekick wide and didn’t do anything else of note.
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Mohamed Salah (6/10)
Came on with 10 minutes to go as Liverpool probed for a winner. Nearly won it for his side with a header in the last minute of the match.
Roberto Firmino (7/10)
Almost another winning cameo by the Brazilian. Saw an effort cleared off the line and provided the cross for Salah to nearly score. Showed more in 5 minutes than his peers did for the rest of the game.
