Harvey Elliott gives Klopp hard choice

Liverpool booked their place into the fourth spherical of the FA Cup after securing a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday evening.

The guests made a brilliant begin to the sport with Liverpool’s midfield wanting way more managed of their urgent, and so they obtained themselves in entrance within the thirteenth minute when Harvey Elliott’s strike from vary left goalkeeper Jose Sa with no likelihood to make the cease.

Both sides struggled to create many significant alternatives in a match the place Liverpool’s midfield three shined. Ruben Neves had one in all Wolves’ finest alternatives to attain however could not could not convert a free-kick from a promising place, earlier than Joe Gomez intervened to cease Wolves ahead Raul Jimenez from getting his effort heading in the right direction.

A late rally offered Wolves’ Matheus Cunha with an opportunity that he flashed over the bar, leaving Liverpool, the FA Cup holders, standing agency to earn their first clear sheet in six video games.

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Positives

Liverpool wanted a response after a disappointing loss towards Brighton over the weekend, and there have been apparent indicators of enchancment on the evening. The Reds pressed significantly better as a crew in a efficiency that noticed them a lot tougher to interrupt down.

Negatives

Manager Jurgen Klopp’s aspect may have achieved extra when it comes to likelihood creation. Outside of Elliott’s objective from vary, the Reds did not actually create a lot.

Manager score (out of 10)

Jurgen Klopp, 7 — A a lot modified line-up injected vitality into the Liverpool aspect, although lots of the gamers who Klopp handed a possibility to on this one can have offered him with a range headache going ahead.

Player rankings (1-10; 10 = finest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)

GK Caoimhin Kelleher, 6 — A quiet opening 45 minutes for the Republic of Ireland worldwide noticed Kelleher largely a spectator to start out with. Looked to get a hand to a Ruben Neves free-kick within the second half to maintain it out of hazard.

DF Ibrahima Konaté, 7 — Aggressive within the problem and did not permit a lot room for Wolves ahead Raul Jimenez to function in, which noticed the Mexico worldwide pressured to float large.

DF Joe Gomez, 7 — The 25-year-old regarded assured when known as upon, and was positioned nicely to react shortly in moments of hazard. Switched to right-back within the 66th minute as James Milner was substituted.

DF Konstantinos Tsimikas, 6 — Tsimikas confirmed intent when on the ball and regarded to hold the ball into offensive areas. He was additionally lively along with his overlapping runs down the left-flank, and saved Wolves attacker Adama Traore quiet outdoors of a few events.

DF James Milner, 6 — The 37-year-old labored hard at each ends of the pitch, and saved his reverse quantity quiet. Not a lot obtained down his flank throughout the 65 minutes he starred in. Replaced by Nat Phillips within the 66th minute.

MF Stefan Bajcetic, 7 — An encouraging efficiency from the 18-year-old, who was clever along with his decision-making whereas breaking the play up in the course of the pitch. The Spain youth worldwide regarded even higher within the second half, making a lot of key challenges that helped start assaults for his aspect.

MF Thiago, 8 — Thiago appeared to be Liverpool’s brightest midfielder once more on the evening, with a constant efficiency that noticed him dictate the play from the midfield.

MF Naby Keita, 7 — A optimistic sport from Keita in what was his first begin of the season. He pressed nicely from midfield, and infrequently selected the fitting moments to look to drive with the ball into Wolves territory.

FW Cody Gakpo, 6 — Gakpo’s brightest efficiency of his Liverpool profession to this point. The Netherlands worldwide led the road nicely for his aspect, and whereas he did not get on the rating sheet, which is unquestionably what Liverpool introduced him in to do, he impressed along with his hold-up work that noticed him bringing others into play.

FW Fabio Carvalho, 6 — Carvalho regarded spectacular throughout spells the place he saved issues easy, and he was usually capable of preserve Liverpool’s spells of possession. Substituted for Curtis Jones within the 66th minute.

FW Harvey Elliott, 8 — A thunderous strike from outdoors of the field left goalkeeper Jose Sa with no likelihood. Worked hard to get again to assist defend when required.

Substitutes

Mohamed Salah (Gakpo, 65″) 6 — Came on for Gakpo and led the line, but he didn’t really get the chance to make anything happen.

Curtis Jones (Carvalho, 66″) 6 — Often made the fitting determination in possession and tracked again to cope with the overlapping runs of Nelson Semedo.

Nat Phillips (Milner, 66″) 6 — Gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position shortly after coming on, but it looked as though there wasn’t much contact.

Fabinho (Bajcetic, 75″) N/R — Helped defend out the remainder of the sport when approaching instead of Bajcetic.