WOLVES EXIT THE FA CUP TO LIVERPOOL, HERE'S JOHN TARAS' REPORT
Wolves 1 Liverpool 3
Rob Edwards made six changes from Tuesday night’s winning side, with Johnstone in goal and a reshuffled back line featuring Mosquera, Toti and Hugo Bueno. Angel Gomes and João Gomes started in midfield, with Arokodare also coming in. It was a lot of change, and Wolves never really found rhythm.
The first 30 minutes felt like a repeat of Tuesday. Liverpool dominated the ball and searched for gaps, while Wolves tried to sit in and absorb pressure. Wolves struggled to get out of their own half and it always felt like the resistance would not last.
Liverpool were sharper and more aggressive throughout the first half. On 40 minutes, João Gomes made a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box. Szoboszlai threatened from the free kick, the wall stood firm, and Salah’s effort from the rebound went straight to Johnstone.
At half-time it was still 0-0, but it was entirely Liverpool’s half in terms of possession and territory. Their biggest threat had been down the left, where Ngumoha caused problems and kept Tchatchoua busy.
The second half was a different story. On 50 minutes, Wolves gave the ball away near the Liverpool box and were punished. Salah worked it through a crowd and Robertson drilled a low finish into the far corner, leaving Johnstone no chance.
Two minutes later it got worse. Robertson crossed again and Salah turned it in. VAR checked it, but the goal stood. At 0-2 after 55 minutes, the game had slipped away in a flash.
Wolves looked heavy-legged and Edwards brought on Armstrong for Angel Gomes, but Wolves could not find a route back into the match. The midfield battle was a clear contrast to Tuesday, with Wolves missing André alongside João Gomes. Mané, Bellegarde and Angel struggled to impose themselves or create.
Liverpool, meanwhile, played with real confidence and had depth Wolves could not match. They introduced Wirtz, and still had more attacking options to bring on.
On 73 minutes, it was effectively over. Curtis Jones drove at the Wolves defence and curled a left-footed shot past Johnstone, who looked unsighted. Liverpool controlled the final stages, moving the ball around at will as Wolves failed to lay a glove on their defence.
Wolves made more changes, with Rodrigo Gomes and Hwang coming on for Toti and Arokodare, and Moller-Wolfe replacing Hugo Bueno late on. Liverpool had chances to add a fourth, with efforts from Morrison, Frimpong and Konaté going begging in quick succession.
In added time, Wolves finally found a moment. A long clearance from Johnstone released Hwang from his own half, and he won the race before dinking a finish into the corner on 92 minutes to make it 1-3.
There was still time for João Gomes to pick up another booking for a needless foul. Wirtz blasted the free kick over, and the match ended shortly after.
In the end, Wolves were punished by Liverpool’s second-half burst. Once the first mistake arrived, Wolves could not keep them at bay. Liverpool were worthy winners, and the result leaves Wolves facing a desperate fight at the bottom of the table. Right now, relegation still feels hard to avoid.
A sad Wolf.
ARTICLE BY JOHN TARAS
Wolves Member for several years but follower since the 70’s. Now retired and looking forward to being involved in discussions.