Jürgen Klopp discussed the efforts of Liverpool's young players and the impact of yet another fixture in the schedule after his team drew 0-0 in their FA Cup fourth-round tie with West Ham United.

A team showing 10 changes from midweek created a number of chances during the Anfield clash but the 90 minutes passed without a goal – meaning a replay at Upton Park next month.

At his post-match press conference, Klopp reflected on some encouraging individual displays from the Reds’ youngsters and explained how he might approach the return meeting.

Read on for the manager’s thoughts in full.

On having another game…

It is how it is. The most important thing is that everybody could see our line-up was not disrespectful against the FA Cup, which I was asked before the game. It was really the other way around – we thought this was the best chance for us to go through. This young team did really well. They have not played too often together, of course, and they did well. We defended well and had a good structure in the game. We made chances and played bravely, that was really good. At the end, it’s a draw, with bigger chances for us I think. But it’s only one part of the game, we should have used them and scored in one or the other situation. That’s how it is. Now we play again.

On any plans to strengthen the squad…

It should not be the reason, one game more. Since the last game against West Ham, we have had three or four games more. But we could rest the team that played against Stoke. They had today off and that’s good, so we will again have fresh legs against Leicester. That’s the good news. We tried all, did all and gave all. At the end, we have another game. In this moment it doesn’t feel too brilliant, to be honest. But when we go to West Ham, we will see the chance to go into the next round again and we will again try everything. It’s an intensive time, that’s how it is. Hopefully, one player or other will come back from injury in the next few weeks and then we’ll have enough players. For what happens in the transfer market, you have to wait in the next 48 hours and we will see if something happens or not.

On the team’s young players…

They did really well. Kevin Stewart – five weeks ago, he was at Swindon Town and didn’t play too often. Brad Smith – a big step in the right direction. That’s really cool. [Sheyi] Ojo came in and again did well, you could see. And Jerome Sinclair. There’s a lot of potential, that’s what we said before. That’s very important. It’s not only important to know about it; the players have to show it, but you have to show them that you see their steps. That’s what we tried. If they could have played as well as I trust them to, then it would have been a lot better because I know they can do better. But it was good, really good, and I’m pleased. These boys would have deserved to win tonight but it is like it is. We will have a team for West Ham and maybe it’s not too far away from this team today.

On youngsters earning a Premier League chance…

They are only in our squad because they are an option for us – that’s the only reason – but we have to decide always if it is the right moment or not. Young lads, especially, very often have waves in their development – it can be good or if you bring them in in the wrong moment then it’s not too good for their development. We’re always in touch with the U21s and a few of them are always in our training. In the last few days we had 27 players in training and made two teams from that, so that’s good. It’s not the moment to talk about who will break through, they have time and that’s the best thing in life. They have enough pressure, you don’t have to make that pressure bigger. We will try to push them, try to help them and hopefully all of them will play sometime in the starting line-up.

On the replay…

I don’t know where they will find a space for the replay. Maybe it’ll be in the morning when we play [again] in the afternoon! I don’t know, but they will find a moment and we’ll have to play it. Around the games, I don’t think any will be cancelled. We have another game against Everton that they have to find a place for. It’s clear with all of the things we’ve done until now – the good things, going to the next round, getting to the final – the only thing we’ve created until now is next games and games plus. That’s the situation but it’s nothing to moan about; it is like it is and we have to decide who we can send into the games. As I said, hopefully a few players come back from injury. For Dejan Lovren tonight, it was very important that he could play and he did really well. The wind was an issue tonight – you cannot believe the difference between sitting in the stand and standing on the pitch with wind. The players [look like] they run under the ball and don’t know how to head it – it’s difficult. They stayed concentrated, did really well and I am really pleased. I am pleased for them that they could show that they are now sometimes ready for what we need, and that’s good.