Rio Ngomoha, Liverpool player. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Liverpool moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Wolves on Friday, as the Reds avenged their agonizing Premier League loss to Molineux just 72 hours earlier.Arne Slott’s side scored twice in quick succession in the second half through a long-range missile from Andrew Robertson and a predatory shot from Mohamed Salah.Curtis Jones wrapped up a much-needed win for Liverpool in Round 5 after their embarrassing 2-1 defeat to the bottom of the Premier League three days earlier. Hwang Hee-chan’s late response was no consolation to the wolves.Described as “slow and predictable” by exasperated captain Virgil van Dijk after that debacle, Liverpool put things right on their return to the West Midlands.Despite spending £450 million ($599 million) on new signings in the summer transfer window, Liverpool have produced a poor defense of their title, leaving the FA Cup and Champions League as their last chance for silverware.
Sitting sixth in the Premier League – 19 points behind leaders Arsenal – Sloat needs to deliver a trophy to ease the mounting pressure of his turbulent second season at Anfield.Liverpool remain in contention for a ninth FA Cup title, and first since 2022, as they strengthen their Champions League challenge with a last-16 first-leg trip to Galatasaray on Tuesday.Slott made four changes for the return match with Wolves, including three in defense as Jeremy Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Ibrahim Konate were left out.
Avoiding relegation remains unlikely for a team currently 12 points from safety, but as well as beating Liverpool, Wolves recently drew with Premier League leaders Arsenal and defeated Aston Villa.Well aware of their impending fate, Wolves fans taunted Liverpool with chants of “2-1 for the Championship” at half-time.Its stars stand outRio Njomoha, the 17-year-old Liverpool winger, almost silenced the mockery with a low shot that Sam Johnston blocked well.Najoumha presented the only threat to Liverpool in the first period, as he shot a powerful ball with his head, but it was blocked by Joao Gomez after an elaborate attack.Despite the best efforts of their stars, the second half was uninspiring for Liverpool in a season that has seen criticism of their sloppy style.Slot’s men finally conjured a rare moment of magic to break the deadlock in the 51st minute.Salah and Jones passed the ball to Robertson, who fired a wonderful shot into the far corner from 20 yards.This is the Scottish left-back’s second goal this season and his first since September.After scoring against Wolves on Tuesday, Salah got back on target to double the lead two minutes later.When Salah took advantage of Robertson’s cross from close range, Al-Masry’s ninth goal of the season was initially disallowed for offside before the video assistant referee overturned the decision.Adding to the good news for Slot, German playmaker Florian Wirtz came off the bench in the final stages after missing three matches due to a back injury.Jones achieved Liverpool’s fifth victory in the last six matches, as he shot a powerful ball past Johnstone in the 74th minute.Liverpool closed the doors in stoppage time when Hwang ran on Johnston’s long kick to slot past Alisson Becker.