Talking pointsKaide's moment, Academy pride, classy Virgil and more

The League One visitors took the lead midway through the first half of Sunday’s third-round tie thanks to Daniel Udoh, but the Reds hit back and were in front at the break courtesy of Kaide Gordon’s goal and a penalty from Fabinho.

Roberto Firmino then came off the bench and made it three with an impudent back-heeled finish, before Fabinho hammered in a late fourth from close range.

Jürgen Klopp’s side were later drawn at home to Cardiff City in round four.

Read on for five talking points to emerge from the victory over the Shrews…

Kaide’s moment

Gordon’s equaliser put his name in the Reds’ record books as the second-youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, and its youngest-ever in the FA Cup.

Only Ben Woodburn has registered for Liverpool at a younger age than Gordon, aged 17 years and 96 days, and the teenager’s Kop-end finish was one of real poise and composure, too.

“That’s Kaide, that’s Kaide. That he is in these situations really calm, I will not say that for the rest of his career in these situations he will always score, but I’m pretty sure more often than not because that’s just him,” said Klopp of Gordon, who received a standing ovation when being substituted late on.

Academy pride

Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Max Woltman made their first senior starts for the club on another proud day for all connected with the Academy.

Dixon-Bonner and Woltman were joined in the starting XI by Bradley, Gordon and Tyler Morton – plus Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher – as the majority of the Reds’ team was made up of players who came through the ranks at Kirkby.

Midfielder Dixon-Bonner very nearly marked the occasion with a goal, too, but he was denied from point-blank range by goalkeeper Marko Marosi in the opening minutes of the second half.

And another first-team bow was to follow, as 17-year-old Germany youth international Melkamu Frauendorf replaced Gordon with 10 minutes remaining.

Blending youth with experience

The large proportion of Academy players involved meant Klopp fielded the fourth-youngest starting XI in Liverpool’s history, with an average age of 22 years and 187 days.

However, the inclusions of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and the returning Andy Robertson, as well as Fabinho, ensured the side was balanced with a cohort of top-level, first-team experience.

It was Fabinho’s coolness from 12 yards that put the hosts ahead as the first half drew to a close, while Klopp further deepened the hosts’ reserves of know-how by introducing Takumi Minamino at the break and Firmino on the hour as the Reds ultimately overpowered the visitors.

Class on and off the pitch

Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill revealed a touch of class from Van Dijk during his post-match press conference.

“Virgil van Dijk came in our dressing room afterwards, congratulated everyone, said well done, brought his shirt in, shook hands and I thought that was absolutely top, top drawer,” Cotterill said.

“Not only is he a top player, he’s a gentleman. It’s a very good experience for our players today to experience that.

“You can’t go away from here and not think that this is a special football club.”

Van Dijk had earlier showcased his personality and ability on the pitch, too, with the centre-back captaining Liverpool while exuding his usual air of calm authority alongside Konate.

‘The boss tells me to be brave’

Bradley produced an impressive, all-action display from right-back.

The young Northern Ireland international dovetailed well with Gordon throughout and set his friend up to slot in the equaliser, before also playing a key role in Liverpool’s third goal by keeping the ball alive and delivering a cut-back from the byline.

“I just want to get on the ball and obviously help out with the defending, and try to create chances for my teammates,” Bradley told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Thankfully I did for Kaide today and thankfully he finished it. I was buzzing for him, I’m quite close for Kaide and to see him get a goal, his first goal, and for it to be at Anfield – I’m just buzzing for him.”

On Klopp’s input, Bradley continued: “He just keeps telling me to be brave: don’t play a safe game by playing back and stuff, just try to go forward as much as I can. That’s what I try to do when I go out and play. He’s been great with me, he’s helped me loads, so I’m thankful to him.”