Liverpool were unable to get back to winning ways as Wolves held them to a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup. It was an entertaining fixture as Darwin Nunez finally ended his scoring drought but Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses and lapses in concentration were again on show.
WOLVES FIRST GOAL (26th minute)
Thiago made a tackle/back pass to Alisson.
Alisson controlled the ball and had some options for the next move. The most logical move was the pass to a free teammate on right side.
Alisson, with a huge error in judgement, made a strange low pass and Guedes intercepted it. It was probably the easiest goal of his career.
LIVERPOOL FIRST GOAL (45th minute)
Andy Robertson made a forward pass after a throw-in situation.
Wolves’ defender James Collins won the ball but lost it immediately as a stray pass went straight to Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold had free space and moved forward with the ball
The Liverpool defender made a stunning pass to the opponent’s penalty area and timed it perfectly with Nunez’s run.
Take a look at Nunez’s work. As soon as Collins made a bad pass to Alexander-Arnold, Nunez made a quick run forward.
Nunez was too quick for Dexter Lembikisa and left his opponent behind. He signaled with his hand to Alexander-Arnold to make a pass to the area he was sprinting towards. Alexander-Arnold answered with a long pass directly to the boot of Liverpool forward.
Nunez showed world class attacking quality in final phase and scored an equalizer just before the break.
SECOND LIVERPOOL GOAL (52th minute)
Liverpool controlled the ball in a positional attack. Wolves were compact and it was difficult for Liverpool to get the ball to the final third. Robertson stayed out on the left wing while Gakpo was looking for an opportunity to attack the Wolves defense.
Gakpo made pass into the penalty area to the onrushing Salah. The Liverpool winger was offside when Gakpo’s pass was made but Toti’s unsuccessful headed clearance landed straight to Salah’s feet, nullifying Salah’s offside position.
Salah got the ball and scored with a beautiful side-foot finish.
WOLVERHAMPTON SECOND GOAL (66th minute)
Liverpool defender Konate lost the ball twice (!) in 18 seconds in his own half before the goal.
65:26 – Konate got the ball after a throw-in by Robertson and controlled the ball in the penalty area. He had at least 3 options to make a pass and keep possession for his team.
Konate tried to return the ball to Robertson but hit his ball straight at Adama Traore.
Liverpool players re-group, Thiago and Fabinho won back possession and the Brazilian midfielder made a pass to Robertson. The left back then passed to Konate in the penalty area.
Salah signaled to Konate that he was free and ready to receive the ball but the defender ignored this signal
Instead of a low pass to the center, Konate made a long pass to Nunez.
Kollins won the air duel and passed to the free Hwang Hee-Chan.
Hwang Hee-Chan got the ball, turned around and ran directly towards the Liverpool goal. He passed left and rushed to the center of the penalty area.
Hwang Hee-Chan exchanged passes with Cunha, burst into the Liverpool penalty box but had his shot blocked by Konate. An extremely fortunate deflection hit off Hwang Hee-Chan’s leg and the ball went under Alisson and into the goal- 2:2.
