After Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ruffled some feathers when he refused to be field his strongest squad against Shrewsbury Town in an FA Cup replay earlier this year, he has now been accused of costing the League One club money.
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After the Reds led the English minnows 2-0 away from home in an FA Cup clash in January, Shrewsbury came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw and a replay at Anfield.
Due to fixture congestion amid a pre-planned mid-season training camp away for his first-team stars, Klopp decided he would not play his strongest side in the return fixture, which Liverpool won 1-0, with Neil Critchley taking charge of the game with a much younger squad.
Shrewsbury's chief executive Brian Caldwell has now slammed the German manager for his actions earlier this year, insisting that the Reds broke the rules by taking the route they did.
"You will recall our incredible comeback in the FA Cup Fourth Round tie live on BBC with Liverpool to draw 2-2 back in January," Caldwell said.
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"Immediately following the match, the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ruined what should have been a wonderful moment for our club by making public statements that he and all of his first team would not attend the replay at Anfield, effectively ruining what should have been not just financially but for the players and fans a wonderful achievement and a very special occasion.
"We struggled to believe that his statements had no effect on the replay being televised and we are convinced that LFC broke the FA Cup rules by not 'fielding their strongest team' in the return fixture.
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"This had a knock-on effect of STFC not getting anywhere near the financial rewards that were to be expected from an FA Cup Fourth Round replay including a potential live TV fee against the World and European champions and Premier League champions (elect).
"In February, we put a complaint in to the FA about the alleged rule breach, but unfortunately and quite unexpectedly we were informed that this was dismissed last week (four months later).
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"This, without doubt, resulted in a much lesser occasion for our players and fans as well as the financial reward that would have been expected from LFC playing their strongest team and abiding by the FA Cup rules."
What did you think of Klopp's decision at the time? Let us know in the comments section below.
