Wolves took Liverpool all the way in their third FA Cup meeting in the last decade thanks to goals from Goncalo Guedes and Hee Chan Hwang, but after Toti’s late winner was chalked off, the tie was taken to a replay. But Lopetegui felt as well as the officials making a mistake for Toti’s goal, the head coach felt Mohamed Salah’s equaliser for the Reds should also have not stood – something he remonstrated with referee Andrew Madley after full-time.
On taking Liverpool all the way
“For me, the most important thing about tonight is how we should be proud of our players. They showed themselves that they can play against any team. Liverpool is one of the best teams in the world, with the best squad and the best coach, so for us it was a very important test.
“But it was a pity because to win against Liverpool one time is very difficult and now we have to play another match against them, it’s going to be a very hard match and we have to be ready for the second round.
“It was a fantastic game, a fantastic environment. Playing at Anfield with our 6,000 fans who were watching a fantastic match, and it was a pity for them because we wanted to win the match and pass through into the next round for them, but now we have to continue.”
A valiant effort but we couldn't quite come away with the win.
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 7, 2023
A big thank you for your support at Anfield this evening. We'll need you again on Wednesday night 💛 pic.twitter.com/5cNLWHI2gg
On an excellent performance at Anfield
“Today, I want to highlight the belief of the players because we have changed a lot of players because we felt this would be the best line-up for today, and we have played within three days and they had five days of preparation for this match, but in the end, it’s a pity because we deserved to pass [to the next round] but now we have to play another match against Liverpool. We have to accept it and be ready for the next one.
“We played three days ago and the effort that Liverpool demand from you is enormous. We needed today to have players that are ready to accept this challenge and overcome this type of opponent.
“That’s why we have the confidence in all the players and it’s a good chance for them to show that they are able to play with us.”
On speaking with the referee after the match
“Only to talk about the two goals, one of them the offside that we had. We’ve seen it and it wasn’t offside. Sorry. It’s impossible. We have seen it, but someone told him that it’s offside, because we have seen the image and it doesn’t exist. Our player, Matheus Nunes, is not offside. It’s very clear. Alexander-Arnold is on the left and is breaking the line. We have tried to explain this to the referee.
“The second goal of Liverpool is the same. We have talked a lot with referees about this kind of situation and one player, one touch of his position, Salah was offside with the first touch before Toti touched the ball, so he took advantage of his position. The rule is, if you take advantage of one position despite the ball coming off an opponent, this is offside. This is my interpretation of the rule and the rule is the same for all of the countries. Despite my playing touching the ball, he is in an offside position.
“We’ve seen the rule, we talked to the referee and he was very polite, and I like this because it’s not usual in Spain to talk to the referee in his room, so I’m grateful for this opportunity and I think it’s a very good thing for football. We showed him different images that showed the offside didn’t exist, that was all.
“We have to accept it but it’s a pity because we deserved to win today against a fantastic team in Liverpool. We have been unlucky today but we have to recover because we have a very hard match in four days against Nottingham Forest.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 7, 2023
On accepting the decisions
“The decision is not unfair, the decision is wrong. I make big mistakes every day but today we have the help of VAR and it was a pity because we saw the image and, sorry, but it’s not offside.
“That is my opinion. I have seen the images and this is my clear opinion, but we have to get with the performance with the forward players, and I think that the 6,000 fans who have come here, they are proud of the performance of the team.
“We have had a big and very clear chance and I don’t remember they have had any clear chances.”
On Lembikisa impressing on his first start
“He [Dexter] and Hodgy, they have shown a good character and personality, and even quality because they have been able to play here and they have to believe in themselves.
“But this is not about their age, this is about their quality and their character and to be ready to compete in this level. They are ready to help us in the next matches.
“They only have to continue working and to be ready for the next match. It is going to be much harder than today, for sure, because we are going to play against Nottingham Forest and it’s another kind of match, so they have to be ready for that one.”
On continuing to improve with each match
“This is only one step. The real situation is that we’re in a bad position in the league and this is the most important thing. We have to change it and we have three matches where we have to be ready a lot, and ready to arrive in the last match, in the last minute, to achieve what we want. We have to be strong in our mind, believe in ourselves and work very hard for each match.
“They have a big commitment. The demand has been big in each training and they have been continuing the same way in their daily work. I’m happy with their commitment, but it’s only one step. We have five very hard months in front of us, but at the same time, it’s exciting for us.
“I’m enjoying it a lot. It’s impossible not to enjoy this environment and these kinds of matches. This is England. This is the cup.”
