It’s a quick turnaround and a massive point to prove for Arne Slot. Just 72 hours after a midweek defensive meltdown at Molineux, Liverpool are back in the West Midlands this time with a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals on the line.
The 2-1 Premier League defeat to Rob Edwards side was a rare horror show in what has been an inconsistent campaign for Slot. However, the fixture list has handed the Reds the ultimate gift: an immediate chance to banish the ghosts of Tuesday night and right the wrongs of a disastrous trip a few days ago
There could be plenty more drama, however, as VAR is used from this stage of the FA Cup and will be in operation tonight.
Here is the confirmed team news ahead of the clash tonight.
Rio Nguhoma finally gets his start
The obvious place to begin when looking at the lineup is Rio Nguhoma finally being gifted a start in the senior side, after his blistering exploits from off the substitutes bench as of late.
Indeed, the 17-year-old has sparkled recently in bright cameos, with his 13-minute stint at Nottingham Forest last month gaining him a lot of plaudits.
Moreover, he also stood out briefly in that 2-1 defeat, hitting the woodwork with one of his efforts.
In a somewhat surprising call, the youngster earns his start alongside the seasoned duo of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. While there was a strong case for either veteran to make way for the academy starlet, they keep their places in a high-stakes frontline.
Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike is forced to settle for a spot on the bench. It’s a significant demotion for the Frenchman, who finds himself among the substitutes after an uncharacteristically quiet performance during Tuesday’s narrow defeat.
Slot is clearly looking for a more clinical edge this time around, and Ekitike’s midweek showing seems to have cost him his starting berth.
A much-changed defence at Molineux
The defensive line bears the brunt of the fallout from Tuesday’s collapse, with three of the four changes coming at the back. It’s a clear statement of intent from Slot after his backline was carved open by a rejuvenated Wolves attack just days ago.
In their places, Curtis Jones comes in at right-back, despite suffering from a wobbly cameo in the 2-1 defeat, while Joe Gomez partners the ever-present Virgil Van Dijk, and the experienced Andy Robertson fills in for the Hungarian.
Alisson retains his spot in between the sticks, when it might have been expected that Giorgi Mamardashvili would come in for a rare start under Slot, with the Brazilian hoping for a better night in goal than he suffered three days ago.
Florian Wirtz returns to the bench
Sat alongside Mamardashvili on the bench is Florian Wirtz, who could well feature tonight in some capacity, after being revealed to be fit enough for some brief minutes as per Slot’s pre-match press conference.
He could be a difference maker at some stage this evening, if he’s needed to be called upon, with the skilful German helping himself to a goal and assist this season in the FA Cup, from only 101 minutes of action.
Of course, this will be a far tougher test for the topsy-turvy Reds than League One Barnsley proved to be in the third round, against whom Wirtz collected those two memorable goal contributions.
Yet, with Slot also crying out for more creativity in his passive ranks, don’t be shocked to see Wirtz gain some minutes tonight and leave a lasting impact on the tie.
Wolves vs Liverpool confirmed lineups:
Liverpool: Alisson; Jones, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Konate, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nyoni, Wirtz, Morrison, Chiesa, Ekitike
