STROUD-BASED Christian Ribeiro helped Exeter City earn an FA Cup third-round draw against Liverpool and secure a dream replay at Anfield.

The 26-year-old right-back, who won the club’s player-of-the-season award last term, started his first game since undergoing an operation on his knee in late November, but the former Marling pupil caught the eye - coming close to scoring with two smart headers and seeing a shout for a penalty waived away.

Earlier, Jurgen Klopp started only Christian Benteke, Adam Bogdan and Jose Enrique in an under-strength side

Liverpool had never previously lost to fourth-tier opposition in their history, were within 18 minutes of exiting in the third round.

Tom Nichols and Lee Holmes had twice given Sky Bet League Two Exeter the lead, the second goal scored direct from a corner which goalkeeper Adam Bogdan somehow allowed to sail over his head and into the far corner of his net.

Jerome Sinclair had cancelled out Nichols' opener and then Brad Smith fired home to deny Exeter - 76 league places below Liverpool - a famous victory.