'I spoke to Jürgen after the game - he loved how we played'
Neil Critchley has given more detail on the conversation he had with Jürgen Klopp after guiding Liverpool into the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday night.
U23s boss Critchley took charge of the youngest Reds starting XI in history for the fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury Town at Anfield, with Klopp and his first-team squad observing the Premier League winter break.
A mature and confident performance by the home side was rewarded with victory when Ro-Shaun Williams conceded an own goal 15 minutes from time, setting up a tie with Chelsea in the next stage.
Critchley took a call from Klopp in the dressing room after the win – and today explained what it meant to have the support of the manager.
“The boss got in touch before the game with some words of advice and support – and after the game as well,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I think he was genuinely buzzing about the performance. He loves seeing the younger players play with no fear and passion. That’s what you get from our manager, you get total belief and support; the support he has shown in so many different ways. And those young players feel the support of the manager all of the time.
“I know he is really delighted with how they played because they played like a Liverpool team and that was important to him and it was really important to us as well.
“He gives you total clarity and belief and I want to really thank him for that.”
