Wolves 1 (Hwang 90+1) Liverpool 3 (Robertson 51, Salah 55, Jones 74)
Wolves bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the fifth round stage after being undone by a clinical display from Liverpool at Molineux.
After a cagey first half that mirrored their clash earlier in the week, the Reds turned the screw after the interval, with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah putting them two to the good within 10 minutes of the restart.
Curtis Jones effectively sealed Liverpool’s progression 15 minutes from time, leaving Wolves chasing the game, and although substitute Hee Chan Hwang got the hosts on the scoresheet during stoppage time, it proved too little, too late to alter the outcome.
On their return to Molineux just three days after tasting defeat, Liverpool imposed themselves from the outset. Cody Gakpo rose highest from a corner and flicked his header onto the post, though the offside flag was raised moments later.
Rio Ngumoha then danced into the penalty area and struck low and hard, but Sam Johnstone proved equal to the powerful effort.
Despite Liverpool’s growing authority, Wolves themselves gradually grew into the game midway through the first half, though they were still unable to generate a shot at goal.
The visitors continued to carve out opportunities and two arrived just past the hour mark. Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort forced Johnstone across his goal but drifted wide, before Ngumoha saw his clean strike blocked by Yerson Mosquera.
Wolves headed into the break without an effort at goal for the second consecutive game. However, Rob Edwards would have been happy with his side’s disciplined defensive work.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Liverpool
The Reds were similarly on the front foot at the start of the second period, breaking the deadlock just five minutes after the restart. Following a disrupted counter-attack, Jones laid the ball off to Robertson on the edge of the penalty area whose fierce effort found its way beyond Johnstone and into the corner of the net.
Moments later, Liverpool doubled their advantage and Wolves’ hard work was undone within four minutes. Robertson added an assist to his goal, finding Salah at the back post, who made no mistake from close range.
Wolves registered their first shot on target of the game just past the hour mark, but Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s left-footed effort lacked the power to trouble Alisson.
Ngumoha continued to cause problems for Wolves’ backline, firing two more efforts in Johnstone’s direction. The Wolves shot stopper was a match for the first strike, before the youngster jinked into the penalty box but dragged his second effort wide of the near post.
Jones virtually put progression beyond doubt for the visitors approaching the final 15 minutes, extending the lead to three. The midfielder drove infield and curled a left-footed strike into the far corner and past the reach of Johnstone.
Substitute Jeremie Frimpong had a clear chance to further extend his side’s lead, but Johnstone stood firm to turn the strike to safety.
Edwards’ side finally troubled the scoreline during stoppage-time when Hwang latched onto a long kick from Johnstone, sped through on goal, and slotted past Alisson, though the FA Cup tie was already decided.
Full-time | Wolves 1-3 Liverpool
Wolves | Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti (R Gomes 74), H Bueno (Wolfe 88), J Gomes, A Gomes (Armstrong 61), Bellegarde, Mane, Arokodare (Hwang 74).
Unused subs | Bentley, Doherty, Lima, Krejci, Edozie.
Liverpool | Alisson, Szoboszlai, Gomez, Van Dijk (Konate 81), Robertson, Mac Allister (Nyoni 82), Gravenberch, Salah (Frimpong 69), Jones, Ngumoha (Wirtz 69), Gakpo (Morrison 86).
Unused subs | Mamardashvili, Kerkez, Chiesa, Ekitike.
By Callum Greybanks
