Liverpool 3 - Exeter 0: Klopp able to relax as Allen, Ojo and Teixeira send Reds through

THERE were no injury-time goals, calamities at set-pieces or even the slightest whiff of a touchline bust-up. Instead, Jurgen Klopp was for once able to revel in the routine.

 

Joe Allen celebrates after scoring for Liverpool

 

Liverpool did just as Liverpool were supposed to do last night and if progress beyond Exeter City was only guaranteed in the final 15 minutes in many ways the wait felt worthwhile.

There was not a confidence-boosting goal for Christian Benteke to celebrate despite numerous chances, yet youngsters Sheyi Ojo, who became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer in the FA Cup, and Joao Teixeira had more cause to remember the occasion as they added gloss to Joe Allen’s early opener.

Liverpool’s reward is a Fourth Round tie with West Ham. Klopp’s youngsters will hope for more opportunities.

There was, in truth, rarely anything more than a glimmer of excitement for the 6,000 travelling Exeter supporters to cling to and at one point they resorted to chastising Klopp for failing to acknowledge their pleas to “give them a wave.”

Manager Paul Tisdale should regard it as a compliment that Liverpool injected an extra layer of experience into their starting line-up following the 2-2 stalemate at St James Park even if the prospect of a shock receded when the team-sheets were handed in.

 

The inclusion of Simon Mignolet, Jordon Ibe and Allen in support of Benteke did not increase the average age by much - here it was 23-and-a-half years - but the quality was improved. The plan came together after just 10 minutes with the sort of incisive, crisp-passing move Klopp yearns for when the opposition is grander.

Jose Enrique spread the play wide to Brad Smith, whose late goal in Devon had spared embarrassment, and it was the left-back who added impetus to the attack.

Swapping passes with Benteke, he continued his run and was sent scurrying to the by-line by a perfectly timed pass from the striker.

The cut back from Smith was expertly directed for Allen to tuck home from just inside the six-yard box, adding to the midfielder’s recent contributions in assisting the winning goal at Stoke and last week’s last gasp equaliser against Arsenal. It was a moment which lanced the tension, although the anticipated glut of goals did not initially follow.

Whether Benteke is enduring teething troubles, or something more serious, his situation currently feels painful and there was no relief here.

 

A header from seven yards was too high even before brushing the fingertips of goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, he over-ran another chance when Cameron Brannagan set Benteke free in stoppage time he lacked conviction when one-on-one and disappeared down a cul-de-sac.

Jibes of “What a waste of money” had rung in his ears in the first half and, for the time being, all the forward can do is grin and bear it.

Exeter have not been beyond the third round since 1981 when losing in the fifth round to a Tottenham team who went on to lift the trophy. Here, their first corner after an hour and their first effort on target a minute later from a tame Lee Holmes header as they failed to muster the momentum they managed on home soil.

Their hopes were to be extinguished in the closing stages, though it highlights how youth development has moved on that two players brought to Liverpool’s academy from elsewhere saw them unhinged.

Ibe had struck the crossbar, replays showing the majority of the ball had bounced over the line but not all of it, but it spoke volumes that the biggest cheer was reserved for the reappearance of Jon Flanagan after 20 months out until Ojo lit up his Anfield debut.

 

Liverpool 3 - Exeter 0: Klopp able to relax as Allen, Ojo and Teixeira send Reds through

 

The 18-year-old, recently recalled from a loan spell with Wolves, was signed from MK Dons in 2011 as part in of policy to recruit the best youngsters around the country which also saw Raheem Sterling, Ibe and Jerome Sinclair arrive.

Taking a pass from Ibe, Ojo showed great technique to pick a spot in top corner after bending the ball around Craig Woodman to become Teixeira - recruited from Sporting Lisbon around the same time - followed with his first goal after taking Benteke’s pass.

Consolation for the League Two side will come courtesy of the £500,000 windfall the initial fixture and this replay brings. Liverpool have their eye on bigger prizes.

Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Mignolet; Randall (Flanagan 51), Ilori, Enrique, Smith; Stewart; Ibe (Chirivella 79), Brannagan, Allen (Ojo 65), Teixeira; Benteke. Goal: Allen (10), Ojo (75), Teixeira (82) Next Up: Norwich City (a) PL Sat

Exeter City (4-3-3): Olejnik; Ribeiro, Brown, Moore-Taylor, Woodman; Butterfield (Hoskins 45), Oakley (Wheeler 64), Davies; Nicholls, Morrison (Nichols 45), Holmes. Next Up: Accrington (h) League Two Sat

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)