Liverpool have reached the FA Cup fifth round after overcoming Shrewsbury.

Neil Critchley’s youthful side acquitted themselves well with a dominant first-half performance against their League One counterparts in Tuesday’s replay.

The Reds benefited from a VAR ruling when Shaun Whalley headed home from close range only for the goal to be disallowed for an offside.

But Shrewsbury were the architects of their own downfall as defender Ro-Shaun Williams headed a long ball from Neco Williams into his own net.

Liverpool will now face Chelsea in the next round at Stamford Bridge.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Them (young) Scousers again

 

Once bitten, twice shy and three times a fool – Liverpool’s youngsters continue to demonstrate why they should never be underestimated.

Already this season they have dumped a full-strength Everton side out of the FA Cup and made short work of their follow-up against Shrewsbury Town.

This replay represented a potential embarrassment for Jurgen Klopp with virtually all of his senior squad already rested up on a winter break.

Some even considered the Reds’ approach of resting their first-team ensemble to be disrespectful to the world’s most famous cup competition.

But Klopp clearly knew better when he entrusted responsibility to Neil Critchley’s under-23 side as they stepped out beneath the Anfield floodlights.

A classic encounter that would separate the men from the boys certainly did that, yet Liverpool’s youngest-ever starting line-up were comfortably superior.

It is true that the name on the front of a shirt is more important than the one on the back. Nowhere does that currently ring truer than on Merseyside.

Williams waiting in the wings

 

Contenders for the man-of-the-match award were rich and plentiful but there was only one name on everyone’s lips at the final whistle: Neco Williams.

Beyond the cross for Ro-Shaun Williams’ own goal which tipped the balance of the tie, the 18-year-old was again imperious at both ends of the pitch.

An ability to be both defensively sound and prolific in attack bear similiarities with the man whose position he was tasked with filling for one night only.

Williams is unlikely to be laying siege to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s right-back throne just yet. He does, however, appear a very capable understudy.

Priming the 18-year-old to cover the void of his fellow Academy graduate will afford Liverpool a rare luxury in the full-back position over the coming years.

Milner joins Reds’ supporting cast

 

Not all of Liverpool’s senior players had checked out for this encounter.

While most of his teammates were enjoying sunnier climes, James Milner used the remaining days of his injury rehabilitation period more productively.

The vice-captain offered the benefit of experience from the sidelines; watching behind the dugout and giving pre-match advice in the dressing room.

Klopp’s admiration for Milner stems from a constant ability to go above and beyond for the cause ever since his arrival from Manchester City in 2015.

Mucking in behind the scenes on a cold winter night may not rank as his greatest act in Liverpool colours but it will be one of the more abiding.

LiVARpool, LiVARpool…

 

An Anfield replay was supposed to be the stuff of dreams for Shrewsbury.

Instead it descended into a complete nightmare for Sam Ricketts’ side.

They had been seduced by the glamour of playing an FA Cup clash against a heavyweight of English football and the prospect of pulling off a giant-killing.

What they failed to take into account was the implementation of VAR.

The technology overruled Shaun Whalley’s goal-line header early in the second half that had sent the Shrews’ 8,000-strong fans into rapture.

Ironically the goal would have stood in the original tie at New Meadow.

Sometimes the grass really isn’t greener on the other side.