Wolves 0-1 Liverpool: Harvey Elliott decides FA Cup third-round replay as Jurgen Klopp’s side set up Brighton tie

Liverpool made the perfect start to their bid for the FA Cup after edging out Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in a third-round replay at Molineux. The Reds, who were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona last week, were looking to bounce back from their European disappointment as they took on Wolves once more following their goalless draw in the initial tie. But it was winger Harvey Elliott who decided this replay when he found the net with just 34 minutes on the clock at Molineux.

The tie was settled after 34 minutes when Elliott found the net from close range following a free-kick by Liverpool’s Harry Wilson.

Elliott was making his first senior appearance in the competition and it was a close range finish. The goal came after 34 minutes, with Liverpool’s Harry Wilson delivering a free kick that Elliott finished off at the back post.

Wolves had chances to draw level with Diogo Jota hitting the woodwork twice and Raul Jimenez also going close but they couldn’t find an equaliser before half-time or after it either as Klopp’s side held on for victory.

Elliott, who was making his first senior appearance in the competition, was playing only because Wolves counterpart Morgan Gibbs-White missed out with a hamstring injury.

Harvey Elliott was making his first senior appearance in the competition, having only been called up to the England squad last week.

The 17-year-old is an attacking midfielder who plays for Fulham and has been tipped as one of England’s brightest prospects.

He started on the right wing but soon drifted inside to combine with Ryan Sessegnon Jurgen Klopp, who was playing at left-back instead of his usual position on the left side of midfield.

It took Liverpool until the 37th minute to break down Wolves’ impressive defence which had kept them at bay until then with some superb defending by Willy Boly and Matt Doherty.

• It took Liverpool until the 37th minute to break down Wolves’ impressive defence which had kept them at bay until then with some superb defending by Willy Boly and Matt Doherty.
• The visitors had a great defence, but they were also a good team, with a good manager in Nuno Espirito Santo and some excellent players such as Ruben Neves who is one of the best midfielders in Europe right now.
• They also have good fans who were singing their hearts out for 90 minutes despite having lost 1-0 earlier in the season at Anfield when Liverpool scored two late goals after going behind early on through Joao Moutinho’s penalty kick conversion (which was given incorrectly).

Liverpool failed to overturn that half-time deficit despite dominating proceedings.

Liverpool dominated the second half and were unfortunate not to score. Wolves’ goalkeeper Rui Patricio made some great saves, but it was Elliott who had the final say when he fired home from close range after being set up by substitute Divock Origi.

The FA Cup third round replay between Liverpool and Wolves at Anfield will be live on BT Sport 1 from 7:30pm GMT on Wednesday January 30th 2019

Mourinho will now be hoping that his side can beat Norwich in their next match on March 15, before heading to Everton (March 19), Leicester (March 29) and Arsenal (April 2).

Mourinho will now be hoping that his side can beat Norwich in their next match on March 15, before heading to Everton (March 19), Leicester (March 29) and Arsenal (April 2).

The former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss said: “We played well but we didn’t score. We had some chances but missed them. The third goal was offside but even if it wasn’t offside, we should have scored before that.”

Conclusion

Mourinho’s side have been impressive this season and will be hoping to get back on track when they take on Norwich at Old Trafford in their next match on March 15. The Red Devils need to overturn this defeat if they are going to challenge for the title this year.