Jurgen Klopp pulled a face on Friday lunchtime when he was presented with a question about FA Cup replays and their worth in the modern game.
Liverpool’s manager would banish them immediately, if he had chance, but privately he must be relieved they remain part of the calendar. Really, his team’s defence of the trophy they won last May should be over and only a staggering VAR decision means they have a second opportunity.
Julen Lopetegui ought to have been celebrating a second momentous victory on Merseyside in the space of 15 days but he left Anfield struggling to fathom how Toti Gomes’s 80th minute goal was chalked off; even Klopp couldn’t mount a compelling argument to say the officials had got it right.
Alisson’s howler allowed Goncalo Guedes to open the scoring for Wolves, who grew into the game after a cagey start at Anfield
Darwin Nunez equalised for the Reds on the stroke of half-time with a brilliant finish into the bottom left corner
Mohamed Salah then gave the hosts the lead after a Cody Gakpo assist, bringing it down and finishing well inside the box
Wolves substitutes Matheus Cunha (L) and Hwang Hee-chan combined well to draw the visitors level again in the 66th minute
‘I can’t do anything now,’ was the Spaniard’s phlegmatic and diplomatic response. ‘It is a pity. I spoke to the referee (Andy Madley) and he was very polite to hear us. I make mistakes every day but there has been a mistake here. The truth is we scored three goals. It’s hard to take.’
There were many things during this helter-skelter tie that Klopp would have wanted to see, such as Darwin Nunez answering his critics with a much-needed goal and an important contribution from his latest signing Coady Gakpo.
So much of this contest, however, only led to his beard going a little greyer. Wolves, really, should have repeated their feat of 2016 and knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield. They were the ones who played as if at full-strength, the team in Red looked like nine changes had been made.
Had Wolves not been given a second opportunity to have a crack at Liverpool, it would have been a travesty. They look reinvigorated and dangerous under Lopetegui and will certainly fancy their chances of finishing the job at Molineux.
A sense of lackadaisicalness hung around Anfield from the opening whistle. Perhaps the relative strengths of the team had convinced the home supporters that everything would be straightforward but, given Liverpool’s form, that was quite a dramatic show of faith.
You cannot fail to notice that Liverpool’s intensity has dropped off and it is in moments such as when the usually reliable Joel Matip dithers and almost gets pickpocketed that it really becomes apparent how much they are off the pace.
The team’s inertia was reflected by the passive atmosphere around the stadium from the home contingent and it was left to those who had travelled north to create the noise. How they took that mantle and how Wolves responded.
Lopetegui may have railed about Liverpool having extra preparation time but his team were fresher with their speed of thought and faster in how they executed their moves. How this was true in the 26th minute when Wolves took the lead.
Liverpool, for some inexplicable reason, dithered with some ridiculous passing on the edge of their own area – Thiago Alcantara was a particular culprit – but the craziest ball of all came from Alisson Becker, the goalkeeper who is usually such a model of consistency.
Not this time. Rather than clearing his lines, he found Goncalo Guedes, who could not miss the opportunity that came his way. Alisson stood with his hands on his hips in disbelief; Klopp, 40 yards away, was similarly flummoxed by it all.
‘You could see the impact on the game,’ he said quietly. ‘You have to win challenges. It is something I have mentioned in the dressing room. Next team we play is Brighton. If you don’t defend properly against them, there is no point going.’
With their confidence up, they could have doubled their advantage moments later. Adama Traore took off in the manner of a Scalextric car, haring away from Andy Robertson down Liverpool’s left and fizzing in cross that was just too far in front of Guedes, who had slid in at the back post.
Gakpo provided a brilliant assist for Mo Salah after starting his first game for Liverpool since his £44million switch from PSV
Alisson stood in utter disbelief after his shocking blunder for the first goal, with Jurgen Klopp similarly flummoxed by it
Julen Lopetegui was left unsatisfied after his side’s late winner was ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR check
The sense of relief was palpable and the miss proved pivotal, as on the stoke of half-time, the hosts drew level with a strike that was so utterly out of keeping with what had been produced, you wondered if impostors had previously taken their place.
Cunha and Hwang combined after three minutes on the pitch
Here was a quite brilliant goal – a glorious cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, a beautiful side-foot volley from Darwin Nunez – that you thought would give Liverpool impetus. All seemed to be going to plan in the 52nd minute when Gakpo, the £43million arrival from PSV Eindhoven, clipped a cross that arrived at Salah’s feet via the head of Toti.
Salah dispatched with the minimum of fuss and you anticipated here that Liverpool would go and see the job through comfortably. This, however, is not the Liverpool of the last four years, this is a team that is a little slower and definitely more uncertain about itself.
For that reason, Wolves always had a chance and in the 66th minute they were back in it. Again, it was a lamentable goal for the hosts to concede, with Alisson once again culpable allowing Hee-Chan Hwang’s impudent finish to squeeze through his legs.
Only one team looked like winning from this position and it certainly wasn’t Liverpool, who breathed a huge sigh of relief in the 83rd minute when VAR came to their rescue and cancelled out what appeared to be a perfectly good strike from Toti, who had dashed in at the back post.
Frustrating as it was, it didn’t dampen the mood of the 6000 strong crowd in the Anfield Road End as the whistle blew whatever misgivings their manager possessed about the officials. The feelings amongst the home followers, by contrast, could not have been more different.
Wolves thought they had secured a late winner through centre-back Toti who bundled home following a Matheus Nunes cross
However his effort was ultimately disallowed by VAR after a prolonged check that left Anfield wondering and bemused
Teenager Ben Doak looked impressive after coming on late in the game and brought energy to Liverpool’s attack at Anfield
Re-live all the action from Liverpool vs Wolves below.
What a game!
Four goals in a 2-2 draw between two sides with plenty of FA Cup rivalry heritage, and it was a real pulsating encounter.
Nunez cancelled out Guedes’ opener after an Alisson blunder, before Salah got the hosts back in front only for Hwang to draw level in the 66th minute with some more poor keeping from the Brazilian.
With the sides unable to separate themselves at the final whistle, a replay will be played at Molineux – and if it’s anything like this match then you won’t want to miss it!
Thank you very much for joining us and we hope to see you again soon!
Traore thinks he should have a foul on the edge of the box, but the call goes the other way. Liverpool are furious though as they were on the counter, but the advantage was not forthcoming.
Robertson hangs a cross into the box, but Bueno smothers the danger and that’s the final whistle!
Wolves are now looking to slow the game down whenever they can, but Liverpool clearly didn’t get that memo, as they continue to push for the winner.
A brilliant nutmeg from Matheus Nunes as he once again carries the ball forward for his side.
Are we looking at a replay here at Molineux?
Both sides have made five subs each and to their credit the flow of the game has not been interrupted.
Liverpool continue to flood forward in numbers at any given chance, but with a little more caution given the stakes at this stage of the game.
Five minutes added on in this one.
Cunha goes down under the challenge of Doak and cannot believe he hasn’t won a penalty for his side, and the Scot starts another attack for Liverpool.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross towards the back post ahs too much on it for even the exuberant youngster to latch onto as Wolves win a goal kick.
Thiago looks for Darwin over the top and finds him, with the Uruguayan recycling play as Liverpool build yet another attack.
Doak has been very bright since coming on, and has an effort on goal after a pull back from Elliott, but he can’t get the curl on the ball to nestle into that top corner.
Liverpool are pushing and pushing for that all-important winner, but as yet Wolves have defended well to rebuff their attempts.
Wolves win the free-kick but more importantly the chance to breathe as Konate is overfriendly with Traore – who catches an accidental Robertson knee to the face.
That looked very painful.
The debut is over for Gakpo, who is off alongside Salah and Alexander-Arnold, replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gomez and youngster Doak
He took his shirt off in celebration, does it count if the goal is disallowed – should he be booked?
One man who is booked is Lopetegui, who is not happy on the bench.
They’re still checking this one…
Maybe he has got the winner?
Nope. VAR finally flashes up to say that he was offside.
Almost comical scenes from Wolves, as they think they’ve got the winner late on, but the flag has gone up for offside.
The initial corner is cleared, before Nunes has another cross in towards the back post, where Toti is waiting for it.
The defender stabs home and goes ballistic, ripping his shirt off but spends about 15 seconds celebrating before someone tells him it’s offside!
Matheus Nunes brilliant again as he glides past the challenges.
He plays in Cunha, who’s cross is blocked behind by Konate
It’s ten men behind the ball now for Wolves, as wave after wave of attack comes in from Liverpool.
Matheus Nunes again shows great composure under pressure as he looks to play out the back, and Wolves do now get forward as Cunha holds the ball up.
The visitors get a free-kick now, after Gakpo was a bit overzealous in winning the ball abck off Jonny.
Alisson comes flying out of his goal to deny Traore a one-on-one attempt as Wolves once again look for their speedster on the counter.
For a keeper that has arguably been at fault for both of the goals his side have conceded, that’s some brave goalkeeping.
Brilliant footwork on the edge of his own box from Matheus Nunes, who weaves through the challenges to play the ball to Semedo, who clears the danger.
Great composure under imminent threat from the former Sporting Lisbon man.
The Reds are setting up camp on the edge of the Wolves box, and you feel the visitors are in for a rough final 15 or so.
This is a real back-and-forth affair now, with both sides flying forward with abandon.
We’re heading towards the final 15 minutes of a real thriller here.
Elliott the latest to take the field, with Fabinho going off.
Ait-Nouri is down now after making a brilliant stretching challenge on Gakpo.
The left-back knows he’s hurt himself after singling straight away to the Wolves bench and he’ll have to come off.
Hugo Bueno comes on to replace him.
Now Wolves have their tails up again, and it’s Semedo who breaks free down the right to unleash the shot, but Alisson is equal to it and catches gratefully into his chest.
Thiago sends a beautiful long ball over the top for Robertson to chase onto, but the Scot strays offside.
Semedo is on for Limbikisa, and Henderson is replaced by Keita.
Hwang Hee-chan.
The substitutes combine, and it’s Cunha who slips it into Hwang’s path from inside the box, but it’s another blunder from Alisson.
Hwang gets contact on the ball at the near post as he slides in to convert, but it somehow fools Alisson who goes to ground to keep it out, but manages to miss the ball entirely, and he’s given another one away.
The ball has actually gone through the Brazilian on it’s way in – game one!
There’s a yellow card for Jonny Otto after he takes out Henderson wide on the right before the substitutions.
Trent sends in a trademark cross from wide on the right-hand side, but there’s nobody able to do the cross justice and make it three.
Cunha, Nunes and Hwang on for Neves, Jimenez and Guedes
The corner comes into Salah at the front post who flicks it on, but Konate can’t get the contact on it at the back post, after a good intervention from Toti to put him off.
Wolves are preparing a triple change here as they look to get back into the game.
Liverpool though are looking for more, and this time it’s Robertson’s cross that is blocked by Collins for a corner.
Another chance for Liverpool, and it’s Robertson and Nunez who combine well, but the ball bounces up and comes off Salah’s shoulder and back, rather than his head as he will have wanted.
Dangerous moments for Wolves…
And right down the other end, Ait-Nouri ahs a chance to level after being played in behind by Neves superbly.
The French defender just hits it straight at Alisson, who stands his ground well.
Anywhere else and that’s a goal – huge moment for Wolves!
And just like that, Darwin almost makes it three.
He charges in at the near post from a corner, but mistimes his jump and it comes off a combination of his neck and shoulder.
Probably should have done better – completely unmarked at the near post.
That goal has taken the wind out of Wolves’ sails a little, and had perhaps the exact opposite effect on Liverpool.
Dangerous time for the visitors now, though, who just need to keep themselves in the game for then next 15 minutes and not get cut adrift.
And just like that, Liverpool are in front!
It’s Gakpo who picks out Salah, who had a lot to do and brings it down brilliantly in the box before finishing from the centre of the box into the left-hand side of the goal.
There’s a question of offside but there’s a genuine attempt from Toti to play the ball, even though Salah is slightly offside when the ball comes in.
What was that about Gakpo being quiet? Really good cross to find the Egyptian, who took his goal in textbook Salah fashion.
Liverpool have looked threatening so far this half, as Gakpo and Robertson link up down the left.
The Dutch forward has been relatively quiet since the game’s opening salvo.
Neves sends another ball over for Traore to do his thing, but Konate fronts him up well and forces a poor cross.
Nathan Collins has been fantastic at the back in this game, seems like he has a magnet in his head for the ball he’s been that good at reading the threat.
Gakpo now has a run at Lembikisa – who’s been impressive on his own debut – and now Nunez picks it up, but he runs into trouble and gives away the throw in.
No changes from either side at half-time to report.
Wolves have come straight out and looked for that long, raking ball from left to right, but with slightly less success so far, as Robertson does well to defend Guedes.
Liverpool are trying to play their high line, but against someone like Traore, it’s a real gamble given how devastating his pace is.
We’re back underway now in the second half!
Goncalo Guedes opened the scoring for the visitors after a horrendous goalkeeping error from Alisson
Darwin Nunez then got the hosts back in the side on the stroke of half-time with a brilliant finish
Just a few minutes away from the second half now.
Will Wolves come out and continue to cause problems for the hosts down the right as they did in the first half, or will it be Liverpool who take the ascendancy?
Will we get a debut goal from Gakpo?
Stick with us to find out with the second half just a few moments away.
Well it was a little sedate for the first 20 minutes or so, but boy did it open up!
Wolves began to grow into the game after a few goalkeeping errors from Alisson, who seemed strangely keen to send the ball into touch more often than not.
And it went from bad to worse when Alisson then passed the ball straight to Guedes in the box and the Portugal forward tapped home for the opener.
But despite taking the initiative in the half and playing the better football for much of the first period, Wolves then equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Alexander-Arnold sent a beautiful ball into the box and Nunez matched it with a sublime finish into the bottom right corner to level the tie heading into the break.
It became a real end-to-end affair as we approached the break and hopefully we’ll see more of the same right from the off in the second half!
Don’t go anywhere, because there’s plenty to play for in this one.
Lembikisa is once again called upon at the back post to send behind for a corner, but there’s no time for it as the referee blows for half-time.
Well, it was a slow start, but we got some goals in the end!
1-1 at Anfield, and everything still very much to play for.
Liverpool have their tails up now.
It’s a brilliant cross from Henderson into the back post and Robertson is charging in at the back stick only for Lembikisa to knock behind for a corner.
Robertson hangs the corner up to the back stick but Konate is beaten to the header by Collins.
Second of three added minutes is almost up now.
And just like that Darwin Nunez gets Liverpool back in the game against the run of play.
It’s a peach of a ball from Alexander-Arnold on the right to find the Uruguayan in the centre, and he finishes sensationally with his first touch, left instep into the bottom right corner on the run.
Really good finish after an even better cross, and the hosts are back in it!
That goal should keep some of those doubters quiet for a little bit.
Jimenez is down calling for a penalty under a perceived challenge from Thiago inside the box, but there’s almost no contact in it.
Alisson then sends the ball back out into touch once again, as he looks to close out a really poor half.
There’s no hint of Wolves trying to close out the half and look to go in at half-time 1-0 up.
Traore has had one of his best games in a Wolves shirt in a long time, and he has been very vibrant down the right for the visitors.
Neves unfurls a peach of a long diagonal ball, but Liverpool get back and defend well to clear the danger.
Alisson's shocking blunder allowed Guedes to open the scoring for the visitors at Anfield
Not far from a second!
Traore once again is the out-ball, and he beats Konate on the outside before firing a low cross towards the far post.
But there’s just too much on it, and a sliding Jimenez is a whisker away from tapping home at the back post.
Brilliant once again from Wolves.
Henderson is alright to continue and the game resumes.
Liverpool are dominating the ball at the moment, but they don’t really look to be a danger at all when they do go forward.
Darwin is working his socks off down the right, but it’s Gakpo that has looked the more dangerous of the front three, although he’s only had one shot on goal.
Guedes has a dig from about 30 yards out, and it dips and swerves dangerously in front of Alisson, but the keeper deals with it and pushes well wide out of the danger area.
The Reds are incensed that a foul isn’t given on their captain after he came out second best in a 50-50 with Traore, who did get to the ball first.
As the ball goes out of play, the game is at last stopped for Henderson to receive some treatment.
Since that goal Wolves have been the better side, for all their dangerous defensive play.
Every time they get the ball Traore looks to receive a long diagonal ball on the right-hand side, and Konate is forced to concede the corner.
It’s another poor ball in from Ait-Nouri, though, and the visitors can’t capitalise.
Wolves are playing with fire at the back, as they look to play their way up the pitch.
They keep hold of it, but there’s a chain of about three passes that are either just in front of an attacker, or wild and require a fantastic controlling touch.
It comes off this time, but the likes of Collins and Toti do not look comfortable doing it, and you can’t help but foresee that being their downfall.
That was a real howler from the Brazil goalkeeper to give away the goal.
And he looks rattled now, as he sends the ball straight out into touch, much to the pleasure of Lopetegui, who stands and applauds!
And Liverpool are looking to react straight away, as Darwin wins a free-kick on the edge of the box to hit back straight away.
The ball is flung into the back post from a dangerous area out on the left, but Konate can’t get enough on it and his cut back is tame and goes over the bar.
A few ironic cheers from the Wolves fans, but there’s still over an hour to play!
What a shocking period of play from Liverpool.
First Traore is allowed to put a cross into the box and Jimenez is free in the box, but scuffs his shot.
Seconds later Thiago gives it away on the edge of the box and Jimenez goes down under a recovery challenge, but Allison trots out to smother the danger and with no foul coming, he tries to play out the back.
But he simply hands it straight to Guedes a couple of yards away from him, and the Portugal forward obliges by poking home into the open net.
Shocking error from the goalkeeper.
A bit more urgency in the Liverpool build up, with Henderson picking up some very intelligent positions in between the lines to link up with Darwin.
Liverpool have a corner and there’s a roar in greeting from the Anfield crowd.
But it’s cleared and suddenly Wolves are on the counter through Ait-Nouri, but against Henderson is involved as he tracks back to snuff out the danger.
The midfielder is back on and the game continues.
Liverpool want a penalty for a handball on Traore in the box, but his hands were by his side and it’s more of a shoulder than an arm.
Darwin is then late with a challenge on Neves a minute later.
The Portugal midfielder is down with a foot injury receiving some attention on the pitch.
He’s lacing up his boot – I think it’s safe to say he’ll be carrying on.
Salah has a trademark run down the right – takes it towards the byline before cutting in on his left.
He tries to pick out Darwin in the box with his cross, and the Uruguayan goes for the bicycle kick, but Collins is brave and gets his head to it.
It’s as if that Matip almost-blunder has given the visitors a bit more confidence, and they’ve suddenly woken up a touch.
A buccaneering run from Ait-Nouri finds Jimenez in the box and the Mexican is halted only by Konate in the box,
Moments like that can galvanise a side and show them that Liverpool are mortal after all, and it looks to have one just that.
Oh Matip, what are you doing!
Konate squares it onto him under no real pressure, but his touch is poor and the Wolves forward is on him like a flash and he barely escapes with his reputation intact but it goes out for a goal kick rather than a goal at his near post.
Not quite a sedate start, but lacking in good chances from both sides.
Liverpool have had a couple of shots so far, but one was straight at the goalkeeper from 18 yards, and the other was off target from the free-kick.
For all Wolves’ nervous defending, they’re not exactly being made to pay for it just yet.
The long ball over the top for Traore to run onto looks to be Wolves’ modus operandi for the evening, and Alisson is called on to rush out of his penalty area and head clear already.
Wolves once again their own worst enemies, though, as Neves’ attempted clearances goes straight out for a throw for the hosts.
If you’re going to beat a team like Liverpool, you need to do the basics right, not hand them the ball whenever you actually get it back off them.
Sarkic has looked shaky in goal for Wolves. He’s sent one goal kick straight out into touch and he’s just passed the ball 10 yards clear of Jonny at left-back, his intended target.
Liverpool don’t capitalise and it’s back with Robertson and Konate in defence.
You sort of feel like Gakpo’s arrival is a good thing for Darwin – a bit of time off the radar could be what he needs to get his Liverpool career up and running.
He’s not been involved much so far tonight, but given his work-rate he’s sure to have some involvement.
Salah takes a couple of touches on the edge of the box before shifting it out to the left for Gakpo.
The new boy takes a touch and lashes goalward with his left foot, but it’s straight at Sarkic, who saves comfortably.
It’s Salah with it and it’s just over the crossbar.
Sarkic had it covered – he just couldn’t get the dip on it.
Slow start to this one so far, with Liverpool knocking it around the back as they get a few early touches on the ball.
Gakpo has a dart in the left channel but debutant Lembikisa cuts it out.
Cries for a penalty from Mo Salah out of nowhere as he is taken out by Toti, but it’s a free-kick on the edge of the box…
“You’ll never walk alone” is over – it’s game time.
Liverpool get us going.
Another big upset for you – Newcastle have been beaten by League One’s Sheffield Wednesday!
Bruno Guimaraes got one back for the team second in the Premier League, but it’s Wednesday who go through after a 2-1 stunner.
Henderson and Neves lead their sides out to a spectacular roar from the Anfield crowd – this one already has the feel of a proper cup tie.
Deafening out there, and you can feel the anticipation in the air as the customary tifos and flags are out in the Kop.
They’re queueing up now ready to come onto the pitch and Neves is pacing up and down that tunnel like a caged lion – with the mane to match!
There’s a pretty boisterous reception waiting for them when they do get out onto that turf.
Anfield in the top three stadiums in the world? Got to be up there, surely.
And another milestone coming up tonight for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He hits 250 games for the Reds. He’s only 24…
I could barely play 250 minutes at that age, let alone play that many games for one of the biggest teams in the world.
The hosts tonight bring Henderson back in alongside Fabinho and Thiago, but it’s hardly a secret that they are in need of a midfield reboot.
One man they’ve been heavily linked with is Brighton’s Moises Caicedo… although he might cost them more than a pretty penny…
Read below to find out more.
Both sides getting their final preparations done with kick-off only 15 minutes away.
So it looks like Wolves are looking at the Premier League as a priority this season, with the side threatened by relegation at the moment.
But it’s still a very strong side – Neves, Jimenez, Traore, Guedes – hardly a side about to get turned over.
On the flip side though Liverpool look to have gone all out, with Virgil van Dijk arguably the only player that would ordinarily start missing from the side.
An interesting proposition then seeing these two face off.
In their last 11 attempts, Liverpool have actually only lost in the third round once – that being against Wolves in 2019.
So the stat gods will have plenty of decisions to make as they look to influence the outcome of this one.
Will Liverpool maintain their run against Wolves, or will Wolves’ FA Cup record against the Reds come out on top?
Quite the array of stars in that dressing room.
Salah, Darwin, Gakpo – a pretty incredible front three on paper – is it one of the most scary in the country at the moment?
It’s already been a busy old day of FA Cup action, and we’ve had our fair share of upsets already!
Have a look down below at just a select few of the games that have already been played out this afternoon.
And a special day incoming for Dexter Lembikisa, making his first start for Wolves.
He’s made two substitute appearances in the past, but this is the moment he will have been dreaming of!
A slightly stranger stat – Wolves have faced the FA Cup holders on seven occasions, and on four of those occasions, either Wolves or their opponents have gone on to reach the FA Cup final.
The only time they’ve ever in fact manage to knock out the holders of the trophy, was nearly 65 years ago, when they beat Man United in the semis, before besting local rivals Leicester to lift the trophy in 1948-49.
Incidentally, that was the third of Wolves’ four FA Cup titles. Their first – in 1892-93 – was against Liverpool’s arch nemesis Everton.
Julen Lopetegui is looking to steer his side to a first win over the cup holders since back in 1948-49
What a goal this was – I remember watching it on Match of the Day and still not really understanding it after rewinding it a few times.
Xabi Alonso with a belter against Luton 17 years ago to the day.
Wouldn’t be a bad way for Gakpo to open his account for the club either.
So it’s FA Cup weekend, and we were treated to an fantastic game last night as Man United beat Everton 3-1 at Old Trafford to get things started.
Interesting to see who a Liverpool fan would have been backing for that one…
To re-live the action, click below story.
As I’m sure we all remember, Liverpool are the current holders of the cup, having beaten Chelsea on penalties to seal a domestic cup double and their eighth overall trophy in the competition.
But that seems to be something of a double-edged blade for the Reds, as they’ve gone out in the third round of four of their last seven campaigns when beginning the tournament as the reigning champions.
They’ve not come into the FA Cup as holders since 2006-07, when they were dumped out at this stage by Arsenal, who ran out 3-1 winners at Anfield.
Liverpool enter the competition as the holders of the tournament but have a poor record the year after winning
Here’s a look at the sides as they arrive at the stadium for tonight’s big clash…
Despite their poor FA Cup record, though, Liverpool are one of the teams that Wolves will have been desperate to avoid, given their current record against them.
Wolves have been beaten in 11 of their last 13 meetings – with those two FA Cup victories in 2017 and 2019 the only successes they’ve had of late.
The Reds are currently on a run of seven consecutive wins against Julen Lopetegui’s side, scoring 14 and conceding just two in those meetings.
Adama Traore comes into the side as Wolves look to halt Liverpool's strong record against them
Matheus Cunha drops to the bench for Wolves as they take on Liverpool at Anfield
Cody Gakpo is the man of the moment for Liverpool, after the snuck under the radar to snap up the ex-PSV sensation for £44million.
But will he get on the scoresheet tonight?
The man of the moment – but will Gakpo get on the scoresheet on his debut for Liverpool
Look away now, Liverpool fans. The Reds have lost five of their seven meetings with Wolves in the FA Cup.
The last time they actually beat the side from the Black Country was way back when in 1952, when almost 62,000 fans crushed into Anfield to watch one Bob Paisley get on the scoresheet in the fourth round affair.
Two of those five defeats for Liverpool came within the last six years, with Jurgen Klopp’s side coming out on the losing end January 2017 and January 2019 – with Wolves winning both 2-1.
Wolves came out on top as they took Liverpool in January 2019, winning 2-1 at Molineux
So Cody Gakpo starts for the Reds as Jurgen Klopp makes four changes to the side that lost to Brentford, with Henderson, Robertson and Matip also coming into the fold.
It’s wholesale changes from the visitors, though, with only Collins and Neves keeping their place as newboy Matheus Cunha drops to the bench.
And here’s the Wolves XI!
Gakpo starts!
Good evening and welcome to tonight’s live action featuring Liverpool and Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup!
The holders will take on four-time winners Wolves at Anfield to round off the second day of third round action, after nemesis United got us off to a flying start last night with a win over Everton.
The game is set to kick-off at 8pm, so stick with us as we bring you all the stats, stories and latest news ahead of the game!
But first…
Dominic Hogan
Host commentator