Liverpool hits back to get FA Cup draw at fourth-tier Exeter

Gotze did, however, rule out moving to Liverpool or any other club this January, as SportBild reported, but admitted that the future is “open” for him after seeing his playing time at Bayern cut short.

The hosts were then back in front when Lee Holmes scored directly from a corner after an Adam Bogdan howeler, before Brad Smith secured an Anfield replay late on.

“They (Exeter) had a few parts where they played football, maybe they know on which part of the pitch it is possible to play football and which part you have to play long balls”.

Came on to replace Tiago Ilori and didn’t really do much wrong for Liverpool in the second half. We have to try it in the FA Cup and accept what happens. It goes without saying that the Reds don’t need another game, but it might be something to see these kids play on a surface that isn’t made of a pudding and with one or two first team players to add some age and experience in the starting eleven.

Prior to the trip down to Devon, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he was keen to avoid an FA Cup shock, but made it clear he would pick a team that “hasn’t played too often together” as a result of their current injury crisis.

Liverpool boss Klopp was in-charge of Borussia Dortmund when Gotze came through the ranks to emerge as one of Germany’s top attacking talents.

The winger exploited space behind Jose Enrique and crossed for Nichols, who prodded the ball past Bogdan, although the visitors responded impressively.

Unfortunately for Exeter their celebrations proved brief. They could easily have been bullied and outfought by the experienced lower-league opposition, but unlike Liverpool’s first team in recent months, the kids showed character and resilience to force a replay.

Liverpool edged the remainder of the opening half hour, but struggled to create further chances with David Noble nearly restoring Exeter’s lead when he shot over the crossbar from inside the area.

Olejnik had to be alert to keep out a point-blank header from Benteke early in the second half, before Nichols and Arron Davies threatened to extend Exeter’s lead.

“It’s obviously not normally this full but the fans have been different class for the last four or five games, all credit must go to them, the atmosphere was unbelievable”.

“We are going to get a pay day and I can’t over-emphasise how important this will be for a club like Exeter”.