Liverpool Youngsters Prove Prognosticators Wrong

Nobody likes a replay.  The players have to play a game that wasn't originally scheduled.  Fans don't care for them because it's more money out of their pocket to buy tickets against teams they likely didn't want to see.  It's possible that the networks don't even care for them because they have to scramble to sell advertising space that wasn't planned for as well.  Nevertheless, a replay against Exeter at Anfield could not be avoided.  It was a very bland start to the game for both clubs despite Liverpool enjoying much of the possession.

The Reds wouldn't take too long to net the first goal though.  Brad Smith set up the eventual first goal quite nicely.  Smith started the play by really stretching the opponent by taking up space in the wide areas.  Then, he worked a nice one two with Christian Benteke and slotted it perfectly to a wide open Joe Allen in the 10th minute.  It looked like LFC were ready to burst the game open, but that would not happen in the first half.

On the bright side, Benteke looked fairly good in the opening 25 minutes, but could not finish despite several header opportunities.  What was positive about him, beyond the finishing, was his movement.  He looked interested in the game instead of trying to blame his faults on his young teammates, which has become a bit of a habit of late.  It was also nice to see Jodan Ibe try a couple shots from distance in the 39th minute instead of his usual Raheem Sterling-esque style of dribbling until space evaporates.  The second opportunity from in the box might have been laid back for a cross but the idea wasn't terrible.

A repeat of Manchester United outcome was definitely in fans' minds given the amound of chances wasted, especially Benteke's shot right into the defender's feet in the 45th.  Still, it was a decent first half of play for the Liverpool youngsters.

The second half was an interesting mix.  Liverpool saw Jon Flanagan return in the 51st minute, though he wasn't called on to really do much.  Then Ibe thought he had scored in the 54th minute on a blistering shot that rang off the crossbar and fell to the turf behind the line.  However, with goal line technology it was all conjecture for fans and was rightly not given.  Also, Liverpool as a club, regardless of age, continued their run of finishing or lack thereof as well.

Joao Teixeira took too long and was blocked  in the 72nd minute and then the ensuing chances were a bit comical and ended with a slow roller off the foot of Sheyi Ojo that resulted in a training ground save.  Ojo made up for the poor shoot with a fantastic one just minutes later.  Just two touches into the box from the right side, Ojo put it on his left foot and just scooped it into the side netting.  The Reds then put the final nail in the coffin in the 82nd minute.  Benteke took on a couple defenders and peeled back.  Then he slid a pinpoint pass to Teixeira who just bashed it past the keeper from about 7 yards.

In the end, it was what you would expect from a Liverpool standpoint.  There weren't any mind-blowing moments, but Liverpool played more than well enough to get the victory.  On the one hand, it continues to add fixtures to their schedule but if Jurgen Klopp continues to use the FA Cup as an opportunity for youth players and bench players, then it's not as much of an issue.  Also a win is always a positive no matter the opponent and no matter who is on the field.  This game in no way takes away the sting of the loss to Manchester United, but there were enough positives to at least smooth a few frazzled nerves.

Random Thoughts:
- Apologies for no write-up following the United clash.  I had a fever, slept through the live game and didn't feel up to watching a 1-0 loss when I saw the score listed on social media.

- Fans always want wins, but this win over Exeter was nice because all the talking heads were saying Liverpool would get embarrassed if they played the youngsters again.  It wasn't a flawless game, but I think 3-0 speaks for itself.

- Joe Allen is a scoring machine!  Wait...what?  Oh well.  I'd still rather him not be on the field if given a better option, which is almost anyone.

- Is this game truly a breakthrough for Benteke?  I highly doubt it.  I want the striker to be successful at Liverpool, but I just don't know that he has the mentality.  He really is becoming another Balotelli without the off-field problems.  Simply an enigma.

- Good to see some people catching up to my take on Adam Lallana.  A good article summed it up here:  http://www.football365.com/news/16-conclusions-liverpool-0-1-man-united  and even former Blue, Craig Burley had an opinon on Mr. Cruyff Turn that I agreed with.  The talent is there, but living in St. Louis, I've seen talent be there for USL players too.  That doesn't mean they know how to produce or are truly meant to play at the highest levels consistently.

- It's both a good and bad thing, but it's kind of a shame that left back might be the biggest position in terms of depth for Liverpool.  Personally, despite some of his defensive faults, I have no problem with Alberto Moreno.  Brad Smith has also shown that he could be very capable of making the first squad soon, now Flanagan has returned and I thought Joe Gomez was good in the role before injury as well.

- As I prepare for the inevitable firestorm of online reaction...I have no problem with extending Simon Mignolet's contract.

Walk On