Ten days after the 2:2 that Wolves squeezed at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup and a total of three days after Liverpool was defeated in the league by Brighton, tonight (Tuesday) Jurgen Klopp and his players managed to avoid relegation from another factory and secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup – where they will meet You… Brighton at the seagulls’ stadium.
While Mohamed Salah and other stars were rested and did not start in the lineup and still without Darwin Nunes, Diego Jota, Roberto Firmino and other injured in the squad, the 19-year-old Harvey Elliott took command and decided the match after 13 minutes, when he swung his left foot and about 25 Mater fired a shot that Jose Ce could not stop.
Wolves pressed and were better in the second half, but couldn’t beat Quibin Kelleher who was between the posts. Salah entering the field instead of Cody Gakpo didn’t help Liverpool too much, who held on and secured their place in the next round – at least tonight they stayed in the picture trying to defend their title from last season. By the way, in the final in May, they beat Chelsea at the end of a penalty shootout, and on Saturday, a tremendous battle awaits them against Chelsea within the league, between two teams that are looking for their way back to the top battles.
the progress of the game
In the first game between them at the Anfield Stadium, it was the Wolves who took a quick away lead. This time it was Liverpool’s turn to surprise and the one who did it excellently was Harvey Elliott, who in the 13th minute received a ball in the center of the field, advanced towards the box, swung his left leg and about 25 meters subdued Jose Sé who did not react. Three minutes passed and it was Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas who almost doubled the visitors’ advantage, but he kicked out from outside the box. Wolves’ best chance came in the 40th minute, when Adama Traore burst down the right wing until he was left in the box in front of Kelleher and kicked into the outside net.
Traore had another good opportunity in the 60th minute as well, when he received a ball from Raul Jimenez, but from about 16 meters he shot the ball very high over the goal. Nine minutes later Klopp brought on Mohamed Salah from the bench, but he was replaced by Cody Gakpo who is still looking for a debut goal after three appearances in the squad since joining earlier this month. Another Klopp substitute, Nathaniel Phillips, tripped Mathieus Konya on the edge of the box in the 73rd minute, but Neves’ curled free kick failed to surprise Kelleher and the locals continued to chase the equalizer.
Wolves’ pressure continued and in the 78th minute Jimenez could have equalized after Traore broke into the box and found him with a wonderful lift, but the Mexican’s shot, which beat Konata, was blocked by Gomez at the last moment. 0:1 to Liverpool at the end, so the cup holder stayed alive.
More games:
Forest Green – Birmingham 2:1
Swansea – Bristol City 2:1 (after extra time)
Cradle – Luton Town 2:1
West Bromwich – Chesterfield 0:4