Neil Critchley, who stood in for Jurgen Klopp in Tuesday victory against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, has discussed the impact this game will have on the Academy players.
"They have definitely made a step forward," he is cited by the club's official website.
"We played the game with real maturity. I was really pleased with the way we stood up to the physical side of the game – first balls, second balls, set-pieces. I thought we did that outstandingly well, much better than the Aston Villa game.
"We did much better, at least at one end; maybe we didn’t take our chances at the other end. This is a step forward but we don’t want this to be a defining moment of their careers. Hopefully it just gives them a taste of it and a thirst to go and whet the appetite, so to speak, and they want more of that.
"What’s really important for these younger players is when we speak to them and work with them on the training ground about doing this, improving this and we’re going to do this and you need to improve at this.
"When those things occur in the game and they’re successful at it, it then gives them the belief and the confidence to carry on the work they do on a daily basis that is not seen by everyone until you get a night like this.
"I think we benefited from the work we do in training tonight, that was really evident."
James Milner's presence surely helped the team:
While every Academy kid has impressed as they managed to beat a more experienced and physical opponent, Curtis Jones, Neco Williams, Pedro Chirivella and Harvey Elliott were perhaps the best performers on the pitch.
As Critchley said after the game, there is a chance some of the youngsters will play against Chelsea in the fifth round.
