Liverpool youngsters beat Shrewsbury to reach FA Cup fifth round

Liverpool's youngest ever team proved coach Jurgen Klopp was right to rest his stars as y reached FA Cup fifth round with a 1-0 win against third-tier Shrewsbury. Klopp and his entire first team were all absent for fourth round replay at Anfield as part of club's winter break. Liverpool manr was criticised for disrespecting FA Cup, but his youngsters proved up to task and ir mature display was rewarded when Ro-Shaun Williams headed decisive own goal in closing sts on Tuesday.

Liverpool will face Chelsea in last 16 at Stamford Bridge in March as y remain on course for a potential treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. Klopp had turned over responsibility of leading Liverpool to club's under-23 coach Neil Critchley, who also took charge when Reds played an under-strength side for ir League Cup quarter-final defeat at Aston Villa earlier this season. On that occasion, Klopp had a better excuse for his absence as Liverpool were in Qatar on course to win Club World Cup.

This time, it was purely his decision to igre FA Cup, but resting Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and company at least gave fans a glimpse of next generation. With an aver of 19 years and 102 days, it was Liverpool's youngest ever starting line-up in all competitions. re were seven teenrs, including 16-year-old Harvey Elliott, while Pedro Chirivella was oldest player in team at 22.

Liverpool-born teenr Curtis Jones became club's youngest captain at 19 years and five days. Liverpool had blown a two-goal lead in that original meeting, but several of se youngsters had helped stun Everton in third round and once again y showcased ir potential. Despite dominating possession, Liverpool almost fell behind in 58th minute when Shaun Whalley headed home, only to see VAR disallow goal for offside against one of his team-mates in build-up. Liverpool made most of that escape to win it in 75th minute. Neco Williams' long pass looked harmless but Ro-Shaun Williams tried to head back to O'Leary and, with Shrewsbury keeper way off his line, ball looped over him into empty net.

" manr sent a mess prior to game with some words of advice and support, which was fantastic," Critchley said of his contact with Klopp.

"He is delighted with performance. re was a mess at half-time and at full-time.

"He said Chelsea away could be an opportunity for one or two of m and y put in a performance tonight." 

Newcastle survive

Newcastle reached fifth round for first time since 2006 after a dramatic 3-2 win at third tier Oxford. Sean Longstaff opened scoring in 16th minute and Joelinton got on scoresheet in 30th minute, netting just his third goal since his big-money move from Hoffenheim last year. But Liam Kelly got one back with a fine free-kick in 84th minute before Nathan Holland equalised deep into stopp-time.

Allan Saint-Maximin saved Newcastle's blushes four minutes from end of extra-time to clinch a trip to second-tier West Bromwich Albion. Wayne Rooney booked an emotional clash with his former club Manchester United as second tier Derby cruised to a 4-2 win over rthampton at Pride Park. Rooney scored Derby's fourth goal from penalty spot to wrap up an emphatic victory that brought prize of a reunion with 12-time FA Cup winners United. former England star, who recently joined Derby after a spell with DC United, spent 13 years with Old Trafford club and won a host of major trophies before returning to Everton in 2017. "He's going to face club where he had a wonderful career so of course it is special," Derby boss Phillip Cocu said.