Goals from Joe Allen, Sheyi Ojo and a late Joao Teixeira strike gave the hosts the required result.
The same defensive selection started this game as in the first leg. Conor Randall, Tiago Ilori, Jose Enrique and Brad Smith all recalled. The only exception being the return of Simon Mignolet following the disastrous showing from Adam Bogdan last time out. A fair and welcome change I have to admit. Same goes for midfield. Cameron Brannagan, Kevin Stewart and Joe Allen all started in support of the attacking trio, Jordan Ibe, Christian Benteke and Teixeira.
Liverpool started the match brightly and the Anfield faithful were also in good voice looking to spur the team on. The attendance of 43,292 was just shy of full capacity. That was good to see even for a game against a team which some would regard as lowly opposition. Given the relatively poor display in the first game, it's clear the team was in need of some assistance!
Allen opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 10th minute. Tapping in at the near post after a nice one two between Smith and Benteke on the edge of the City penalty area. Credit has to go Smith who showed good strength to hold off the visiting defender and get his cross in from the bye-line. 1-0 and the hosts off to a really promising start. Liverpool were not intent to leave it at that and played some neat attacking football thereafter.
A pin-point cross from Teixeira on the Liverpool left was met with a trademark header from Benteke, only for the ball to graze the wrong side of the crossbar and over. Ibe, who was very impressive on the night, had a great right foot shot on 39 minutes that whistled past Robert Olejnik's right upright. Again shortly after with his left was well saved by the 'keeper.
It was credit to Exeter that the score was still one nil at the break, such was the attacking play of Liverpool. I have to say though, with better finishing, the hosts should have been long out of sight. Ibe was probably the best player in the first half but this was a very close call indeed. Teixeira, Allen and an inspired Benteke all played really well. The defence was never troubled although Enrique was guilty of misplacing some very easy passes on occasion. Against better opposition, the scoreline would have read very differently.
In the second half, Exeter City put in a good 15 minutes where they came close on a couple of occasions. In truth however, this was mainly one way traffic. on 51 minutes, Jon Flanagan made his return to first team action after the two years out with injury. The appreciation from the fans was emphatic. The 23 year-old showed some glimpses of what the side has missed. Dependability in the tackle and an eye for a pass. One such leading to Ibe almost getting his first Anfield goal. His rasping shot cannoning off the underside of the cross bar, only for the ball to fall short of fully crossing the line.
As in the first game at St. James stadium, Liverpool's performance needed an injection of class late on. Enter Ojo after 65 minutes for the tiring Joe Allen. His goal in the 74th minute was a fine, fine strike indeed. Receiving Ibe's pass on the Liverpool right he entered the Exeter box and unleashed a curling shot across Olejnik's flailing figure and into the top right corner of his net. 2-0 and some breathing space for the hosts.
The revitalised Benteke, after an impressive run toward the City box laid off a lovely pass into the stride of Teixeira who was able to control and dispatch a placed shot past Olejnik for Liverpool's third in the 82nd minute. 3-0. Game over, and the Reds youngsters showing that the future of the club has great potential, and fantastic quality.
After the game Jürgen Klopp commented on how important it is for the youngsters to develop at Anfield rather than being out on loan individually. "...They also have to learn how to play as a team..." said the ex-BVB boss. I couldn't agree more and this is a real breath of fresh air to hear. One of the things that continually bugged me under the last management was the insistence of sending players out on loan. Usually to - with all due respect - inferior clubs.
This is a vital element for the players' development. The importance of Brannagan, Stewart, Ojo, Smith, Teixeira and all the other young players at Liverpool evolving together, as a team, is one that cannot be emphasised enough.
I am looking forward to seeing the gradual introduction and integration of these lads into the first team. If they can all make it, then Liverpool Football Club and fans alike, can only be optimistic about the future. Speaking of which, next up in the cup, West Ham at Anfield in the fourth round. Bring it!
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