An emotional Jurgen Klopp spoke of a Harvey Elliott “fairytale”, as the youngest returned from serious injury in spectacular fashion.
The teenager came off the bench after a four month absence with a horrific ankle injury some feared would threaten his career… and scored a spectacular goal to continue Liverpool’s march towards Wembley.
And with new signing Luis Diaz also starring from the bench to stop brave Cardiff, it was a perfect result for Klopp, who said: “Harvey’s goal was very touching - it is like a fairytale.
“I know what an incredible talent he is and an incredible kid he is. When we lost him at Leeds (to injury), it was one of the hardest moments of my career.
“So coming on is a great step back, and scoring this nice goal is a proper fairytale. Probably his biggest talent is how ready mentally he is out there. He is a kid, yes, but on the pitch not so much.”
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Klopp clearly has designs on the FA Cup this season. This is only the second time he has been in the fifth round and has never been beyond, but his team selection suggested he is serious about another tilt at Wembley, after already reaching the EFL Cup final.
Yet Liverpool were made to sweat by Cardiff, goals from Elliott, Diogo Jota and Taki Minamino delivering victory only after the visitors had a penalty shout and a potential red card for Reds keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Both were waved away by ref Andy Madley, and afterwards, Cardiff boss Steve Morison said: “The penalty shout in the first half, I think if it was outside the box it is a free kick.
“But I don’t think it was a sending off, there were too many players around. I was more disappointed Mark Harris didn’t take the ball around the goalie and put it in the goal.
“I am still proud of my players - they gave everything.”
