Carlisle's Ryan Bowman left Anfield with Virgil van Dijk's shirt after a valiant effort against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The former Blues striker got his hands on the great Dutch defender's jersey after his Shrewsbury Town side went down 4-1 in the third round tie.

Shrewsbury had taken the lead in Sunday's game through Dan Udoh, while Cumbrian striker Bowman had a goal ruled out for offside.

The 30-year-old, whose winner against Carlisle in the second round had set up the trip to Merseyside, said it had been an occasion to remember against Jurgen Klopp's stars.

"It was an unbelievable experience," said Bowman, speaking on BBC Shropshire after the game.

"I think 4-1 was a little bit flattering for them, maybe 2-1 would have been fair.

"The boys were fantastic. They worked their socks off. [Liverpool] had big names coming off the bench like Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino but the boys put in a big shift.

"It's one to tell the ids and grandkids about. And I got Virgil van Dijk's shirt, and he signed it, so that's another thing to take."

Udoh had given the League One side hope of a remarkable cup upset when he volleyed Steve Cotterill's side in front on 27 minutes.

But Kaide Gordon levelled, then Fabinho's penalty put the hosts in front. Sub Firmino backheeled the Reds further ahead before Fabinho notched a fourth.

Bowman's own headed finish was chalked off in the first half. "It was offside, but I could still say I've scored at Anfield," he said. "It just wasn't to be..."

Bowman admitted he and Udoh had got little change out of home centre-halves van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

He added: "We knew coming here would be really difficult, especially when we saw the names on their team, but that's what the FA Cup is all about. Credit to Liverpool, they were brilliant on the day."

Bowman started his career at home-city club Carlisle before going on to play for Darlington, Hereford United, York City, Torquay United, Gateshead, Motherwell and Exeter, then joining the Shrews last summer.

He returned to Brunton Park to hit the decisive goal when Shrewsbury won 2-1 in the cup second round in early December - one of his nine goals so far this season.