Liverpool overcome Wolves to secure FA Cup quarter-final spot
Liverpool progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals following a 3-1 triumph over Wolves on Friday, allowing the Reds to settle the score for their recent 2-1 Premier League setback at Molineux merely three days beforehand.
Arne Slot's team netted twice in rapid order during the second half via Andrew Robertson's stunning effort from distance and Mohamed Salah's clinical strike.
Curtis Jones sealed an essential fifth-round success for Liverpool after their humiliating loss to the Premier League's last-placed side just days prior.
Hwang Hee-chans belated response offered little comfort to Wolves.
Following the disaster where captain Virgil van Dijk labelled them slow and predictable, Liverpool corrected their performance upon returning to the West Midlands.
Even after investing £450 million ($599 million) in fresh acquisitions during the summer transfer window, Liverpool have struggled terribly in defending their title, making the FA Cup and Champions League their sole remaining opportunities for honours.
Sitting in sixth position in the Premier League, 19 points adrift of top side Arsenal, Slot must claim a trophy to alleviate the growing strain in his challenging second year at Anfield.
Liverpool stay in the hunt for a ninth FA Cup victory, their first since 2022, as they intensify their Champions League campaign with a last-16 first-leg visit to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Slot introduced four alterations for the Wolves replay, including three defensive switches that saw Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Ibrahima Konate benched.
Escaping relegation looks improbable for a squad 12 points above the drop zone, yet Wolves not only overcame Liverpool but lately held Premier League frontrunners Arsenal to a draw and bested Aston Villa.
Fully conscious of their looming demotion, Wolves supporters jeered Liverpool with songs of 2-1 to the Championship during the opening half.
Ngumoha impresses
Liverpool's young 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha almost quieted the jeers with a fierce low shot that demanded a solid stop from Sam Johnstone.
Ngumoha provided Liverpool's only danger in the initial half, his on-target attempt cleared by Joao Gomes header after a sharp attacking move.
In spite of Ngumoha's endeavours, it proved yet another lacklustre period for Liverpool in a campaign marked by backlash over their dull style.
Slot's players at last produced a spark of brilliance to take the lead in the 51st minute.
Salah and Jones passed the ball to Robertson, who blasted an excellent shot into the distant corner from 20 yards out.
This marked the Scottish left-backs second goal of the season and his first since September.
Having found the net against Wolves midweek, Salah struck again soon after to make it 2-0.
Salah latched onto Robertson's delivery with a tap-in at close range, his ninth goal of the season initially ruled out for offside before VAR reversed the call.
Boosting Slot's evening further, German midfielder Florian Wirtz substituted in late on after sitting out three matches due to a back problem.
Jones confirmed Liverpool's fourth win in five recent outings by curling his effort beyond Johnstone in the 74th minute.
Liverpool lost concentration in added time, permitting Hwang to chase Johnstone's clearance and fire past Alisson Becker.