Liverpool were forced to an FA Cup replay after failing to break down a dogged Plymouth Argyle.

Jurgen Klopp fielded the youngest-ever starting line-up in Reds history but they struggled to test the visitors’ goalkeeper during the opening hour of play.

It took the introduction of three more established players in Daniel Sturridge, Robert Firmino and Adam Lallana before Liverpool appeared their more familiar selves.

But the attacking trio were unable to fashion a winner as the League Two side secured a replay on home turf after grinding out a goalless stalemate.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Reds kids aren’t alright

 

This was the youngest Liverpool team to take the field but its attackers in particular disappointed against a Plymouth side intent on parking the bus.

The hosts’ offensive play lacked imagination; particularly disappointing was Sheyi Ojo who had little impact from the right flank but improved in the second period.

Liverpool’s final ball and crossing, notably from Alberto Moreno, was also poor while Divock Origi and Ben Woodburn found few opportunities to make an impact on the game.

Gomez’s return likely to be short-lived

 

One upshot to this stalemate was the return of Joe Gomez following a 15-month lay-off.

The England under-21 defender came through 90 minutes unscathed and should now be ready to challenge for a starting position in the coming games.

With five games in 23 days, there is likely to be opportunities after a fairly solid performance in which Gomez had very little to do against an opposition that refused to commit numbers forward.

He will be a near certainty for the replay at Home Park, but the 19-year-old might find regular game time more difficult at Liverpool this season.

Unless injuries to Klopp’s first choice defensive partnership open up opportunities in central defence, Gomez looks set to be largely restricted to cameo outings.

Second string also fail to shine

 

A lack of continuity and game time clearly showed for the rest of the starting XI, as Liverpool struggled to break down the team from English football’s fourth tier.

Jurgen Klopp will take comfort from having opportunity to rest some of his his more senior players ahead of the EFL Cup semi-final with Southampton.

But it might come as a concern that no one took the opportunity to pose a selection dilemma to their manager ahead of Wednesday’s trip to St Mary’s.

The Reds never looked like stepping out of third gear and lacked any real urgency or imagination to find a way through the packed Plymouth defence.

Few first-team mainstays are likely to be worried about their starting places after the second string underwhelmed against a relatively poor opposition.

The second half introduction of Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana showed the gulf in quality, and how much the second-string need to improve.

Price paid for FA Cup underestimation

 

Klopp wrote in his programme notes that this was ‘the most important game of the season’ with respect of it being the latest obstacle to overcome.

Naming such a young side wasn’t enough to see off opponents who were stubbornly determined that their big day out at Anfield would not be ruined.

It was an archetypal third round tie in which neither side showed enough hunger to win although Plymouth will have walked off as the happier of the two sides.

A replay is a now an unwelcome additional game for Liverpool as they continue to chase their first Premier League league title for over 25 years.

Fans will expect a cup run of sorts and a tricky replay might well see Klopp name a much stronger selection at the second time of asking.

But an extra game in a month that includes the two-legged affair against Southampton, and clashes with Manchester Utd and Chelsea is most unwelcome.