Brannagan on Exeter clashes and opportunities
Cameron Brannagan believes Liverpool’s first encounter with Exeter City was a ‘great experience’ and one that will stand the club's starlets in good stead if they're selected once again for Wednesday’s FA Cup third-round replay against the Grecians.
The midfielder featured in the 2-2 draw at St James Park earlier in the month, along with a number of youngsters and debutants who will be hoping to be in contention to figure at Anfield when Jürgen Klopp names his matchday squad.
Brannagan feels the Reds know what to expect from the League Two side after a solid showing in difficult conditions on January 8.
He told Liverpoolfc.com “It was a tough experience with a lot of youngsters playing in the team, but at times I thought we dug in well.
“Everyone was saying that the pitch wasn’t great but I guess we’re used to bad pitches like this - they’re not great but we can all play in these conditions.
“I thought everyone in the team did well and it was a great experience for everyone.
“At times they [Exeter] like to play out but at times they switched it up and decided to kick it long. That’s the way they play and we respect that. Hopefully in our next game, if we get the chance again, we’ve got to learn to adapt to that.
“Hopefully we can learn from it and take it into the next game.
“It’s never easy when you go 1-0 down and then 2-1 down in an away game, especially to Exeter in tight ground with the fans on our backs.
“It was never easy but the lads dug in well and I was really pleased.”
A busy period for Klopp’s team may present the chance for the 19-year-old and other Academy graduates to feature once again on Wednesday night as the boss looks to keep his squad fresh.
And should that be the case, Brannagan insists it’s a great opportunity for him and the younger players to show their worth.
He added: “Every opportunity is good for us because we can get out there and show what we can do. Especially the other day at Exeter, it was live on TV and there were many people watching the game.
“It was a good opportunity for the team and the U21 players that came up. Everyone just needs to keep what they’re doing and hopefully they’ll get a chance in the future.”