The brave Aston Villa boys - Under 23 (seven) and Under 18 (four) players fielded due to the Covid epidemic that decimated the starting team - held up against Liverpool for a time in 32 / the final of the Fa Cup, losing at the end 4-1 but deserving the respect of the multiple champions.
Klopp's team took the lead already in the 4 'but did not sink the blow and on the contrary suffered a draw in the 41', signed by a 17 year old, Louie Barry, who will hardly forget this evening at Villa Park.
In the second half, Liverpool woke up, thanks in particular to the entry of Thiago Alcantara, and within twenty minutes they hit the mark with Wijnaldum, Mane and Salah in succession, also taking advantage of the sharp physical decline of the very young opponents. For them it was an incredible and unexpected experience, given that just a few hours ago their club decided that despite the Covid outbreak they would not give up the challenge. Closed the training center and put the team and technicians in isolation, the managers called the U.23 coach, Mark Delaney, instructing him to put together a formation to face the strongest. Mission accomplished, head held high, as the opponents also recognized: "They are a nice group of guys, they deserve compliments. And to think that one of them told me he hadn't played for two months", declared the veteran of the Reds James Milner. In the other match tonight, also valid for 32 / i, the Wolves beat 1-0 and eliminated Crystal Palace.