Liverpool and Wolves played out a pulsating 2-2 draw on Saturday night at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup, with the tie going to a replay at Molineux.
Darwin Nunez scored his tenth of the season for the Reds’ first goal – expertly assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold on his 250th appearance – while left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri ran the show for the visitors in a lively display.
Liverpool stopper Alisson had a game to forget after an embarrassing blunder in the 26th minute allowed Goncalo Guedes to score for the visitors, and was culpable for Wolves’ equaliser in a game that saw a late controversial VAR decision.
Alisson’s howler allowed Goncalo Guedes to open the scoring for Wolves after 26 minutes
Darwin Nunez equalised for the Reds on the stroke of half-time with a finish into the bottom left
Mohamed Salah gave the hosts the lead after a Cody Gakpo assist, bringing it down and finishing well inside the box
Substitutes Matheus Cunha (L) and Hwang Hee-chan combined well to draw the visitors level
Liverpool (4-3-3):
Alisson Becker 5
The Brazil No 1 made an embarrassing blunder to gift Wolves the lead and didn’t cover himself with glory for the visitors second goal either but in between made some good saves.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7
Celebrated his 250th appearance for Liverpool with a superb pass to set up Nunez for the equaliser – his 62nd assist for the club.
Joel Matip 5
Almost gifted a goal to Guedes when he dallied too long on the ball and looked shaky at times.
Ibrahima Konate 5
Made a good interception during the match but not always convincing, playing in Virgil van Dijk’s position.
The Brazilian gifted the visitors an opening goal and struggled with Hwang’s second goal
Click Here: Chelsea Jersey Sale
Trent Alexander-Arnold provided a sensational assist in his 250th match for Nunez’s goal
Andy Robertson 6
Kept on his toes by the pace of Traore but linked well with Gakpo and was always willing to get forward.
Jordan Henderson 6
The best of Liverpool’s midfield trio with his usual energetic and unselfish performance until replaced by Naby Keita.
Fabinho 5
Another performance that underlined the Brazilian is not as dominant as he used to be and he was replaced by Harvey Elliott towards the end.
Thiago 5
Nunez moved into double figures for the season
Passing not as crisp or as incisive as usual and got caught on the ball on a few occasions but improved in second half.
Mohamed Salah 7
Took his goal with his usual composure, bringing the ball down before placing his shot into the corner for his 17th of the season.
Darwin Nunez 7
Moved into double figures for the season with a well-taken side foot volley and headed a second half chance wide.
Cody Gakpo 6
Tested Matija Sarkic with with an early shot, showed some nice touches on debut and supplied the cross that led to Salah’s goal.
Subs: Naby Keita (for Henderson 67) 5, Harvey Elliott (for Fabinho 74) 5, Joe Gomez (for Alexander-Arnold 84, 5), Ben Doak for (Salah, 84) 5, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (For Gakpo 84) 5.
Unused subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsmikas, Fabio Carvalho, Nathaniel Phillips.
Goal: Nunez 45, Salah 52.
Wolves (4-4-2):
Matija Sarkic 6
Could do nothing about Liverpool’s goals, a couple of early clearance kicks went straight into touch but otherwise sound.
Dexter Lembisika 6
The youngster coped reasonably well against the double threat of Gakpo and Robertson and can be proud of his debut.
Nathan Collins 6
His stray pass led to Liverpool’s equaliser but otherwise produced a commanding defensive display and picked up the man of the match award from ITV.
Toti Gomes 6
His mistake led to Salah’s goal when he headed Gakpo’s cross straight to the lurking Salah but unlucky when what looked a winner was ruled out for offside.
Toti thought he had given the visitors the win late in the game before it as ruled out by VAR
Jonny Otto 6
Kept Salah relatively quiet and also got forward to good effect on occasions.
Adama Traore 6
Always a threat with his pace on right flank but, as usual, he was so erratic with final delivery.
Joe Hodge 6
Energetic and determined performance from the Wolves youngster and rattled Thiago at one point in the first half with his persistence.
Ait Nouri 7
Lively display, constantly troubling Liverpool with his penetrating runs from midfield.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, 21, starred for his side as they forced a third round replay at Molineux
Ruben Neves 6
Shook off early injury to pull the strings in midfield for Wolves.
Raul Jimenez 6
Constantly caused problems to the home defence with his pacy and persistent running.
Goncalo Guedes 6
Accepted ‘gift’ from Alisson to give Wolves the lead having failed to punish Matip for dwelling on the ball a few minutes earlier.
Subs: Hwang Hee-chan (for Guedes 62) 7
The South Korean international scored within three minutes of coming of the subs bench
Made an instant impact with the second equaliser.
Matheus Cunha (for Neves 62) 7
Set up Hwang’s goal.
Nelson Semedo (for Lembisika 68) 6.
Unused subs: Jose Sa, Yerson Mosquera, Max Kilman, Connor Ronan, Hugo Beuno Lopez.
Goals: Guedes 18, Hwang 66.
Referee: Andrew Madley 7.