Saturday, January 09, 2016

Jurgen Klopp takes full responsibility for Exeter draw and vows to field Liverpool youngsters in replay

The inexperienced Reds were almost knocked out by their League Two opponents but Klopp will keep faith with his young players
The boss: Klopp watches on from the touchline
Jurgen Klopp took full responsibility for Liverpool's near-humiliation - as his team of innocents snatched a late draw to avoid an FA Cup exit against League Two Exeter.
Klopp included eight inexperienced youngsters in his starting line-up and saw them fall behind twice before the break - with keeper Adam Bogdan blundering to allow Lee Holmes a goal directly from a corner.
But young Aussie full-back Brad Smith equalised 17 minutes from time -meaning Liverpool now face yet another fixture, with an Anfield replay in 11 days' time.
Klopp , who has 12 senior pros out injured, said: "If you want to criticise somebody, criticise me and leave the players alone - these players tried all they could but if they made mistakes, it's myresponsibility.
"It's the responsibility of all coaches of Liverpool FC and not the players. I picked them and said 'come and help us in this moment' and they did, 2-2, go home, next game.

"It was not as good as they can do but good enough for a draw."
And Klopp admits he will send out the kids again for the replay on January 20.He said: "Of course it's difficult. We have two other games against Arsenal and Man United and then the replay is after that. If the situation doesn't change we will play the same team or a little bit different with other young players.
"I can't change it. So we have to try now to give the intensity to different players. We have to try it in the FA Cup and accept what happens.
"We had more games than some other teams because we're still in the Capital One Cup, we played the Europa League. And the main problems we have is because our centre-halves are injured at this moment.

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