Former Premier League star Michael Owen reckons Liverpool will have enough to overcome Shrewsbury in their FA Cup replay - despite fielding their second-string team.
Jurgen Klopp has been criticised for observing the mid-season Premier League break by sending his players away on holiday and taking a break himself, meaning he will miss the tie at Anfield on Tuesday.
Many critics felt Klopp should be there on the night but, instead, it will be Liverpool under-23 coach Neil Critchley who will lead the team out against their League One opponents.
But rather than focus on Klopp's absence, Owen has predicted the result and believes his former team will book their spot in the fifth round.
He told Betvictor: "Jurgen Klopp and his senior players are on their winter break and under 23’s coach Neil Critchley will take charge of a young Liverpool side against Shrewsbury who came from two-goals down to earn a replay last month.
"There is a something of an aura around Anfield at this moment in time and I believe the Reds will win an entertaining tie against a Shrews side who have lost both games since the original 2-2 draw and have failed to find the back of the net in those defeats.
Meanwhile, Critchley insists Klopp's presence is always felt by the younger players - even if he will not be at the FA Cup fourth-round replay at home to Shrewsbury.
"He gives myself, the staff and players unbelievable support so I can speak to him whenever I like when I'm down here," said Critchley, who took charge of a youthful team for December's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Aston Villa when the first-team were at the Club World Cup in Qatar.
"He supports the young players unbelievably well, as he has shown so far this season so his presence, even if he isn't there, is always felt by our younger players and by myself.
"I also think maybe one per cent that came into his thinking with his decision was the way we played against Aston Villa, he maybe thought the boys deserved another opportunity."
