Jurgen Klopp's FA Cup debut, pitch admission and "you want it like this" claim

Jurgen Klopp was given quite the introduction to the FA Cup just months after his English arrival.

The Liverpool boss, appointed back in October 2015, made the trip to St James' Park for an FA Cup third round clash.

Not the stadium in the north east, but the one in the south west, belonging to Exeter City.

The Grecians, a League Two outfit, claimed a 2-2 draw on a cold Friday night, forcing a replay.

Klopp rang the changes, naming an XI that would be unrecognisable now and featuring names whom have all left the club.

Adam Bogdan started in goal - and it was his error from a corner that gifted Exeter their second - with Brad Smith and Tiago Ilori among the back four.

Ryan Kent and Kevin Stewart played in midfield behind a front two of Christian Benteke and Jerome Sinclair.

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It was Smith's second-half strike that forced a replay with the Reds twice having to come from behind.

Exeter's playing surface was not what Klopp had been used to in the top flight and acted as something of a leveller.

The German claimed post match that the hosts knew which parts of the pitch were favourable and which weren't, whilst confessing the fourth tier side were, at times, the more resilient team.

"It's obvious what we have to learn in the future. We have to be more robust. It was a difficult pitch," he said.

"Exeter did really well. Maybe they know which part of the pitch you can play football. It was really difficult for us today.

"On one-on-one situations they were more robust than our guys."

The stalemate meant a lucrative trip for Exeter up to Anfield 12 days later.

Klopp had just negotiated the festive period for the first time - something that was new to him having worked in Germany his whole career.

Liverpool played four matches in 13 days whilst they were also in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League.

Games were coming thick and fast - something Klopp now takes issue with.

Back then it was a new experience, and he appeared to laugh off the demands.

"I can't believe we have to play another game now. You want it like this, so we will be there," he said lightheartedly.

The Reds would win the replay 3-0 before being knocked out in the next round by West Ham in extra-time.

Klopp has failed to make in roads in the FA Cup since his arrival in England with shock defeats against the likes of Wolves and West Brom ending their hopes in the past.

Last term it was Manchester United who saw them off 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Liverpool's opening opponents this season are Shrewsbury Town, a team whom they met in the 2019/20 season.

A Covid outbreak has hit the Merseysiders hard this month and there are doubts over several players and Klopp's own presence on the touchline.

The German's assistant Peter Krawietz was quizzed on whether the Reds boss would make the FA Cup clash.

He said: "We hope so, of course. He is well so far, he feels fine but of course as well the regulations are how they are and for this he has to do tests as well. And we hope he will be fine to be in tomorrow, yes."