Not everyone was sold on the merits of this contest.



The plush Carlsberg Lounge in Anfield’s Main Stand remained closed due to a lack of corporate interest.



With this FA Cup fourth-round replay having been overlooked for live television coverage domestically, the FA decided to not even make a live feed available for the array of overseas broadcasters.



The insinuation was clear. What was the point? Liverpool had effectively given up on the competition in protest at the game falling within the inaugural Premier League winter break.



Twenty-two senior professionals had been given the week off and manager Jurgen Klopp had also flown away to sunnier climes on holiday. Who wanted to watch Shrewsbury Town secure a hollow victory over the Premier League leaders’ youth team?



Yet those who turned their noses up at what was on the menu will be kicking themselves. For the 52,399-strong crowd inside Anfield, this was a night which will live...