January’s free-fall gathered apace at Anfield, as Liverpool crashed out of another cup inside the same week as they lost an ELF Cup semi-final.
In a result that remains shocking, despite the club’s poor run of form, the Reds fell to Wolves 2-1 and ingloriously ended their FA Cup run.
There seems to be no end to the spiraling descent in which Liverpool find themselves. While the club spent 2016 remaking Anfield as their home fortress, the Reds have now lost three in a row at their home ground for the first time since 2012.
This has unquestionably been the worst week since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival and a month to forget. Liverpool have registered only one win in eight matches since the turn of the year.
Having started the January still in three competitions, the Reds are now left clinging only to hope in the league. Even if they were to somehow pull themselves together and finish the month with what now would be a stunning victory over league-leading Chelsea, any notion of a title challenge have been definitively damaged. Only a battle for a top four finish is likely.
To make matters worse, the visiting Championship side Wolverhampton outplayed Liverpool in all phases with the possible exception of possession. The once lively and fluid Reds that often scored goals for fun now find themselves beyond blunt. Unable to even muster a shot on target until the 60th minute, a weak side-footed shot from 30 yards by Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool deserved defeat.
Even their goal, a bungled corner kick scrap, flattered the scoreline. The Reds trailed from the second minute and rarely looked threatening.
Here are four findings from the match.
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