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There is not much that Jurgen Klopp has done that has not garnered widespread approval during his time at Liverpool.
But there is one point of view that continues to divide Reds supporters almost in half.
For a growing number, the FA Cup represents an anachronism that only serves to detract from the priorities of the Premier League and the Champions League.
For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to claim highly prized silverware at the world’s most historic and prestigious national cup competition.
Klopp, it seems, is very much in the first group given his reluctance to present a full-strength team in draws.
Don’t forget, the Reds coach implored his coaching staff and the entire senior team missed the fourth round replay at home to Shrewsbury Town last season, Liverpool instead represented by an under-23 team.
The fact that the subsequent victory over the Shrews, after a famous win against Everton in the previous round, offered two of Anfield’s most memorable occasions last season underlines the remaining appetite for the FA Cup among many fans.
Klopp’s treatment of the competition explains why Liverpool failed to make it past the fifth round in five attempts during his tenure.
In fact, since Phil Taylor in the 1950s, a permanent Liverpool manager did not take over an FA Cup campaign and did not reach at least the semi-finals.
After a difficult holiday period and a season hampered by incessant injuries and unavailability issues, Klopp is likely to rotate his resources significantly for Friday night’s third-round trip to Aston Villa.
But would that be the wisest move given Liverpool’s current three-game no-win predicament?
Klopp has made no secret of his appreciation for pace and momentum. Players getting into the rhythm, forming associations and coming together as a cohesive unit.
And with four days to prepare after Monday’s defeat at Southampton and nine days before the next home game against Manchester United, there is plenty of room to move forward.
Some fringe players, like Takumi Minamino, deserve a chance, the Japan international has been overlooked with some harshness since winning his Premier League.
Caoimhin Kelleher is hoping to have a shot on goal, Neco Williams is ready as a right back, while the delicate central position can push Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips into action.
But the need to rekindle the wavering threat forward may build strength elsewhere, especially in midfield.
Both Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would benefit from more minutes to work on sharpness and fitness after long spells on the sidelines.
And that’s before we get to Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Could one, if not more, start of that trio?
Of course, fans will point to the injury suffered by Diogo Jota at FC Midtjylland last month as a reason not to name a few, if any, of the first regular teams at Villa Park.
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But that was a dead rubber from the Champoins League, a game whose outcome didn’t make a tangible difference. Friday’s FA Cup tie is winner takes all.
Liverpool’s defeat would close the door on an avenue to cutlery and further increase scrutiny of what would be considered a troubled side.
With that in mind, it may be that Klopp changes his appearance to change the shape of the Reds by altering his own FA Cup trend.
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