The new Premier League winter break is just around the corner, though its staggered structure means there will be no halt to the action, especially for those who did not overcome their FA Cup opponents at the first time of asking.
Liverpool were unable to see off Shrewsbury at the weekend, drawing 2-2 with the League One side after surrendering a two-goal advantage. But manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he will not select any of his first-choice players for the fourth-round replay saying he will instead “respect the winter break”.
However, by taking such a firm stance, the Reds boss is risking squandering his opportunity to emulate Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United, in becoming only the second English side in Premier League history to win the treble. It was understandable that the German took such a hard stance when the Reds had two games in two days, due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup and the Carabao Cup, but his current situation is certainly different.
With a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, along with a game in hand, there is little danger Liverpool will relinquish their grip on a first league title in 30 years. For that reason, Klopp has little to lose by utilising a full-strength side in the FA Cup and could comfortably rest his players in a Premier League fixture, as opposed to the knockout competition. It is unlikely that the Merseyside club will ever get a better opportunity to equal Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 treble-winning season than the situation Liverpool currently find themselves in, and it would be a shame for Klopp to waste the opportunity out of principle.
Liverpool’s choice to take a full-strength side to the FIFA Club World Cup paid off; it was a historic achievement as the Reds had never before lifted the trophy. However, while the first-choice members of the squad were preparing in Qatar, the largely U23 eleven fielded against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup were dismantled 5-0. Starting the same side could produce the same result in the FA Cup, which would put an end to the prospect of emulating arguably the most significant achievement in Premier League history.
