Arne Slot’s Liverpool side delivered the perfect response to their recent Premier League setback, clinicaly dispatching Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 to secure a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Just four days after a disappointing defeat at the same venue, a rotated Reds squad showed their depth and character under the Molineux floodlights.
While the first half remained a cagey affair, Liverpool found their rhythm after the break. The deadlock was broken through an unlikely source in Andy Robertson, before talisman Mohamed Salah doubled the advantage and then Curtis Jones sealed the win during a dominant second-half display.
Despite the “Old Gold” looking to repeat their Tuesday night heroics, Slot’s tactical adjustments ensured a comfortable finish. The 3-1 victory not only keeps Liverpool’s silverware hopes alive but goes a long way in rewarding the traveling fans following a turbulent week in the Midlands.
Here are ReadLiverpoolFC’s full-time player ratings, as Liverpool turned on the style in the West Midlands.
Alisson – 6
Alisson really didn’t have a whole lot to do, especially during a one-sided second half, but the Brazilian still had to disappointingly fish Hwang Hee-Chan’s consolation goal out of his net in stoppage time.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Moved to the right-back spot for this FA Cup tie, Dominik Szoboszlai showed off once more why he’s seen as Mr Reliable in Slot’s camp.
Indeed, the versatile number eight was as creative as ever, tucked away down the right channel, finishing the contest with two key passes next to his name.
He also did his defensive work when he needed to, with five ball recoveries amassed to further solidify his concrete presence in Slot’s XIs.
Joe Gomez – 6
Gomez was solid throughout most of the 3-1 win, without ever doing anything spectacular for his team’s overall cause.
In total, the Englishman would win two duels when coming up against a quiet Wolves attack, while only misplacing three of his 57 passes during the routine win.
Virgil Van Dijk – 8
Van Dijk’s performance was a little more memorable, arguably, with double the amount of duels won by the Dutchman, next to his partner in the heart of defence.
Moreover, with a superior 97% pass accuracy managed, the ever-dependable Reds captain played a big role in Liverpool nearly keeping a clean sheet.
Andy Robertson – 9
Andy Robertson steals all the plaudits as the final member of the clean sheet-winning backline, though, as his excellent driven strike early into the second half got the ball rolling for a confidence-boosting victory.
Making his first start since the 1-0 win away at Sunderland last month, the 31-year-old didn’t look rusty whatsoever, with an assist also falling into his lap when teeing up Mohamed Salah for the game-clinching second strike.
Could Robertson keep his starting place for Liverpool’s upcoming games? That remains to be seen, but the ageing left-back certainly has Milos Kerkez on his toes, after his standout performance.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch’s display was far more low-key, in contrast, even if he was handed an assist for Curtis Jones’ late breakaway effort.
Away from setting Jones on his way to kill the tie, the 23-year-old didn’t really stand out, with his passing honestly wayward at points, when giving up possession a haphazard 14 times.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Likewise, Mac Allister will file his individual showing under the unmemorable category when looking back on the resounding 3-0 win.
He did fire two efforts at Sam Johnstone’s net to try and make the win even more convincing, but his tired second-half display would see him gingerly hobble off, for youngster Trey Nyoni to gain a run-out.
Mohamed Salah – 7
Salah now has two strikes on the bounce for the Reds, with his goal drought in Slot’s ranks now a clear thing of the past.
Amazingly, after beating Johnstone on the 54th minute mark with this emphatically taken effort, Salah has now scored in eight of his last nine Friday night fixtures for the Merseyside titans, with Liverpool legend John Aldridge only able to boast a better average, playing just before the weekend commences.
Curtis Jones – 9
Jones and Robertson are surely the two most obvious shouts for Man of the Match from this fantastic Friday night display, as both reserve figures shone brightly in the first team spotlight.
The homegrown Reds gem would stylishly make sure the FA Cup victory was heading back to Liverpool when curling this sublime solo effort past Johnstone.
Away from stealing the limelight with this superb strike, the standout number 17 would also assist Robertson’s opener, as he looked comfortable and assured, taking on the responsibilities of the number ten role.
Rio Nguhoma – 7
Nguhoma would also look at ease playing down the wings against Rob Edwards’ men, having been handed a rare starting position by Slot.
Unfortunately, a deserved goal wouldn’t come the teenage starlet’s way, but he did desperately try to beat the Old Gold goalkeeper, with four total efforts amassed, before Florian Wirtz came on in his place late on.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Gakpo will unlikely be retained as Slot’s main striker outlet when Premier League football returns to the menu, with the Dutchman cutting an indifferent figure throughout when only managing one weak effort on the often busy Wolves net.
Substitutes:
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Frimpong was given a late run-out down the wing, in place of Mohamed Salah, and failed to add much to the one-sided affair.
He was lively in bursts, though, as two ground duels were successfully won.
Florian Wirtz – 6
Liverpool fans would have loved to see Wirtz come in place of Nguhoma during the latter stages of the 3-1 win, as the German playmaker returned from injury.
Much like Frimpong, he didn’t offer a whole lot of quality, but he did fire one on-target effort at the home side’s goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Konate experienced a wobbly cameo, on the contrary, away from both Frimpong and Wirtz, offering bits and pieces of quality to the win.
He was also unfortunately on the pitch when the route-one Wolves goal was scored.
Trey Nyoni – 6
Nyoni would have basked in the glory of another late stint for the Reds, with the youngster coming off at the end with a 100% pass accuracy managed, from his limited eight minutes of action.
Kieran Morrison – 5
Morrison would have also viewed his last-gasp cameo as a great learning curve, too, even if he made just four touches as Gakpo’s 86th-minute replacement.
This victory at Molineux represents more than just a spot in the final eight; it’s a statement of resilience. By rotating his squad and still securing a dominant result.
With Mohamed Salah back on the scoresheet and the defensive unit regaining its composure, Liverpool heads into the quarter-finals with renewed momentum. For a fanbase that was disgruntled just days ago, the road to Wembley now looks a lot clearer.
