Every opposition manager knows what it takes to beat Liverpool from a broad tactical perspective: either exploit 'Pool's high line with balls over the top, or attack Liverpool on the wings when the wingbacks have gone walkabout upfield. The challenge there is not in tactics but execution.
Shrewsbury knew this and did a good job exploiting both of Liverpool's weaknesses, especially in the first half. Udoh was a real menace playing off the shoulders of the Liverpool center backs and looking for those long passes over the top. Ogbeta on Shrewsbury's left scythed repeatedly through Liverpool's young right flank of Bradley, Dixon-Bonner, and Gordon, who just couldn't cope with the demands of pushing forward but also defending. He put in two great crosses early and one yielded a textbook goal. Konate probably could have done better defending the cross.
But that youthful Liverpool right side also produced a nice goal, with Gordon finishing very well after a Bradley cross. 'Pool had their noses in front after a late first half PK but were laboring till Firmino got subbed in and injected some cheeky magic and iced it with a back-heeled goal in the second half. Classic Klopp Liverpool - they can be got at but they will usually hurt you more than you hurt them. Fabinho roofed a fourth at the death.
The scoreline makes the match look a lot more one-sided than it was though. Most of the match was Shrewsbury defending but looking fairly comfortable doing so, and patiently waiting for an opportunity. Liverpool were the better side but not by miles. They never really got behind Shrewsbury's defense, instead trying to shoot through them and break through on set plays. Minamino's cameo was anonymous and Konate had a bit of a lumbering performance, a few wayward touches.
Shrewsbury conceded a dumb penalty and had a goal chalked off for a tight but clear offside. Had those incidents gone differently it could have been a hairier ride for Liverpool.
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