Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has the full backing of the club's hierarchy over his plan to stay away from their FA Cup fourth-round replay with Shrewsbury.

Klopp said after Sunday's 2-2 draw at the New Meadow that none of his first-team squad would be involved in next week's game, which will be on either 4 or 5 February, in the middle of the first week of Liverpool's winter break.

It is understood Klopp has already told his first-team squad they are free to spend next week as they like before returning to training on 10 February.

BBC Sport reports people at Liverpool who have spoken to Klopp say he regards it as a 'line in the sand' moment with regard to player welfare and believes that for his opposition to the present situation to carry any weight, he must follow through his argument that the winter break was introduced to give players a rest.

Having ordered his players to do exactly that in order to recharge their batteries, he does not regard the replay as a first-team fixture and therefore will not be at Anfield, with under-23s boss Neil Critchley in charge in his place.