Liverpool forced to go to unwanted FA Cup replay against Wolves

Jurgen Klopp expressed his displeasure at having to play a replay and that is what he got. Liverpool started the game well, but fell behind after 25 minutes when goalkeeper Alisson passed straight to Goncalo Guedes who hit home from close range. Just before the interval, Darwin Nunez volleyed home an equaliser and Mo Salah looked to have given Liverpool victory with his goal early in the second half. However, substitute Hwang Hee-Chan levelled in the 67th minute. Wolves could have even won it, but had a Toti goal disallowed for offside in the closing stages.

The hosts gave new signing Cody Gakpo his debut and the Dutchman needed just five minutes to get his first chance when he was given the ball by Salah and his shot was saved by Sarkic in the Wolves goal. Liverpool were looking for the more dangerous of the two teams, but fell behind in bizarre circumstances when Alisson inexplicably passed to Guedes inside his own box and the Portuguese punished him. That goal knocked Liverpool's confidence and Wolves enjoyed a good spell after taking the lead. 

Guedes would have made it two had Alisson not made a terrific stop to his right from 25 yards while Adama Traore was a constant threat for the home defence. Shortly before the break, he hit a cross-cum-shot which was nearly turned in by Raul Jimenez at the back post. However, right on half-time, Liverpool levelled. Alexander-Arnold sent a ball into the box and Nunez ran onto it to volley into the far corner. It was a huge goal for Klopp's men and for Nunez himself after he had been heavily criticised in recent weeks for his poor finishing. 

The second half saw Liverpool start strongly and they took the lead in the 52nd minute. A ball forward saw Toti completely mistime his header and the ball fell into Salah's path. The Egyptian was offside, but Toti's deliberate header meant he could not be offside and the goal stood. The game remained very open and there were opportunities at both ends. Nunez headed over a corner seconds before Ait-Nouri was through one on one with Alisson and the Brazilian made a very good save to keep the Reds in the lead. 

Lopetegui decided to bring on Cunha, Matheus Nunes and Hwang Hee-Chan just over the hour mark and he was quickly rewarded. Hee-Chan gave the ball to Cunha and he squared back for the South Korean. However, Konate got there first and his clearance onto the Wolves man went through Alisson's legs. It was a fortunate goal, but Wolves got their equaliser.

Neither team wanted a replay and that led to a thrilling final 20 minutes. Liverpool did most of the attacking, but Wolves had the ball in the net 10 minutes from time. A corner into the box was only half-cleared and a Wolves shot was then turned in by Toti Gomes. Toti took his shirt off and celebrated in the corner, but the linesman deemed Nunes was offside in the build up. The former Sporting man was not visible on any of the camera angles and VAR Mike Dean had to stick with the on-field decision of no goal. A thrilling encounter continues at Molineux in 10 days time.

 

January 7, 2023