Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has sided with Jurgen Klopp in the debate regarding the decision to field the Under 23s in Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury next week.

The Reds boss has come in for criticism for his stance on the game, citing the fact that the match will be played within the Premier League’s winter break.

Merson agrees that Klopp and his players need the time off in order to recuperate and ensure they seal their first league title in 30 years:

“I know these Liverpool lads are winning but it’s 24/7 – you don’t switch off. There aren’t enough hours in the day for a manager. Jurgen Klopp’s thinking about winning the league. He’ll think of himself and his team. If he needs a rest, he’ll have a rest.”

“Ask the fans at Anfield and the millions of supporters around the world – whatever Klopp says will go. If he doesn’t go (to the replay), I’d like to think he’d sit down with the young kids and explain. I think he’ll stick with what he said.”

“He’s got to bring the Premier League home – even though they don’t look like losing a game, I do think he needs a rest. I can understand people debating it but I don’t understand why he can’t have a break.”

In terms of priorities, the FA Cup is at the bottom of the pile for Liverpool, with the Premier League and the Champions League taking precedence.

The entire point of the winter break was to give the players a much-needed break after a busy December and January, and Klopp has decided to take a stand on the issue.  With the Reds having had a particularly busy festive period, after travelling to the Club World Cup in Qatar, he is well within his rights, as Merson says, to take some time off.