Liverpool booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux, with three second-half goals proving enough to see the Reds get revenge after losing at the same stadium just a few days ago.
The visitors controlled possession during the opening stages but struggled to create clear opportunities against a Wolves side that defended in numbers.
Liverpool’s most lively outlet in the first half was teenager Rio Ngumoha, whose direct running on the left flank caused occasional problems for the home defence.
Despite Liverpool’s territorial advantage, chances were limited before half-time.
Cody Gakpo thought he had opened the scoring when he headed against the post midway through the half, but the effort was ruled out for offside earlier in the move.
Wolves, meanwhile, offered little attacking threat and failed to register a shot in the opening 45 minutes as the teams went in level at the interval.
Liverpool’s pressure finally told six minutes after the restart when Andy Robertson broke the deadlock with a well-struck effort from distance.
After a move involving Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones on the edge of the area, the Scotland international stepped onto the ball and smashed a great finish into the far corner beyond Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The visitors doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Robertson was again involved, pushing forward before delivering a cross towards the back post where Salah finished from close range.
The goal was initially flagged for offside but was awarded after a VAR review confirmed the Egyptian had been behind the ball when the pass was played.
At 2-0, Wolves struggled to mount a response and Liverpool continued to control proceedings. The tie was effectively settled in the 74th minute when Jones added a third.
The midfielder collected possession outside the area, worked space past a couple of challenges and guided a low finish into the bottom corner to extend Liverpool’s lead.
Wolves did manage a late consolation in stoppage time. A long ball forward caused confusion in the Liverpool defence and Hwang Hee-chan reacted quickest to the loose ball, finishing from close range past Alisson.
The late goal made little difference to the outcome, however, as Liverpool comfortably saw out the closing moments to secure their place in the last eight of the competition.
