Welcome to the LFC Final Word. In this series, I provide an in-depth analysis of games from a Liverpool supporter's perspective.

Source

Match Facts

Wolves vs Liverpool

Molineux Stadium

Monday 7th January, 19:45

Result

Wolves 2 - 1 Liverpool

Betting Results

Liverpool to win: loss

Over 2.5 goals: win

Match Summary

This was always going to be a game that left supporters feeling conflicted. On the one hand, Liverpool haven't won a trophy for quite a few years and the FA Cup is certainly a decent one to add to the display cabinet. On the other hand, with things going so well in the Premier League and a big game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League coming up, this always felt like an unwanted distraction. Did I want Liverpool to lose? No. Am I in any way bothered that they did? No.

The match itself played as one might expect when Liverpool made so many changes to their teamsheet in order to rest most of the first choice players. Connections between these players hadn't been formed and it led to a very disjointed display throughout the evening. Perhaps the only player who can be mentioned in a truly positive light tonight is Fabinho who put in a decent performance as a makeshift central defender but the rest of the players should hang their heads in shame. Hoever also gave a good account of himself and looked impressive for a 16 year old. The result doesn't matter but I had expected a much better performance from a set of fringe players looking to force their way into Jurgen Klopp's plans for the rest of the season. Instead, Liverpool supporters were treated to sloppy passing, mistakes in possession, a lack of attacking threat, and a general lack of urgency to win the game.

Wolves played fairly well at times throughout the game but should have made easier work of it in truth. With so many changes to Liverpool's teamsheet and some very young players making their debuts, Wolves had an opportunity to show that they really do mean business. Had Liverpool's first 11 been playing this evening then the outcome would have likely been very different. The biggest worry in these games is that one of your players will be injured and this is exactly what we saw in the early minutes when Lovren limped off the pitch with a hamstring issue. For all the talk of Liverpool not taking this competition seriously, this is a prime example of why rotation needs to occur. The Reds now have Lovren, Matip, and Gomez injured in the same position and this could spell disaster for the club should it have an impact on results in the Premier League over the next few weeks.

The Final Word

This wasn't a great day at the office for Liverpool but could be a blessing in disguise with the number of fixtures coming up in the Premier League and Champions League. I would have loved to see the Reds go on another exciting cup run, but I can't help but feel somewhat relieved that we can now focus our attention on the most important competitions while the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham will still have to juggle their squads for these games.

The pressure is now on for Liverpool to decide whether or not they can bring in an adequate player to fill in alongside van Dijk in central defence for the next few weeks. I would prefer us to make a statement signing but that is unlikely to happen. The only other thing I can see happening is that Klopp will opt to play Fabinho alongside van Dijk rather than in midfield and hope that Gomez will be match-ready over the next few weeks. For now, attention turns back to the important stuff, the Premier League.