Jurgen Klopp’s insistent to field non-regular players and youngsters in the first eleven created even more problem as they were held 2-2 draw by Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup fourth round, despite leading 2-0 earlier in the game.
Liverpool had a good start as 18-year-old Curtis Jones once again proved his quality through a goal in the 15th minute before Shrewsbury midfielder Donald Love scored an own goal in the 46th minute.
But Jason Cummings became the hero as he came off the bench to score twice through penalty in 65th and equalising gol in 75th minute.
Klopp who had made 11 changes to the side that beat Wolved, even sent on Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but Shrewsbury managed to held the game until the final whistle.
Draw forced Liverpool to play Shrewsbury again in a replay at Anfield.
“I told the players at halftime that the game was there for them,” said Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts.
“The belief within the group is unbelievable. Jason (Cummings) came on (after 60 minutes) and he’s a goalscorer.
“I was waiting and waiting to put him on then I finally did and he gets the chances and takes them.”
“We just said to the lads, ‘You could have won it, but you all wanted to go back to Anfield didn’t you?'” Ricketts said.
Jason Cummings is delighted to score against the world champion.
“I could have got a hat-trick. It was a dream come true against the best team in the world. Going to Anfield is what it’s all about,” he said.
Klopp will now have another unwanted fixture in the midst of pursuing for the first Premier League title in 30 years.
“We don’t have enough time to say all the things which weren’t right today,” the German said. “It just didn’t look like it was 2-0 on the pitch. It looked like we were 2-1 down.
“But well deserved for Shrewsbury, it was the minimum they deserved. Congratulations to them.”