Wolves shock Liverpool as Klopp’s awful 2017 continues

Wolves: Won at Anfield

Wolves: Won at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp’s 2017 went from bad to worse as Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup 2-1 by Wolves at Anfield.

The Championship outfit, who bundled Stoke out in the previous round, were good value for the victory against Klopp’s weakened outfit.

A headed goal after 53 seconds from Richard Stearman and Andreas Weimann’s tap in on 41 minutes, after he had charged down the middle, handed Paul Lambert’s men victory and meant Liverpool’s awful run in 2017 continued.

They have won just once in eight games – against League Two Plymouth in the FA Cup – and even Philippe Coutinho’s half-time introduction could not spur the Reds sufficiently.

Divock Origi volleyed home on 86 minutes to give the hosts hope, but Wolves hung on, despite Liverpool’s 79% possession.

Talk of a crisis may be premature but Liverpool’s season is certainly in freefall after an FA Cup exit to Wolves heaped more scrutiny on Klopp and his players.

In the space of four weeks Liverpool have gone from title contenders and being in two cup competitions, one of which they were 180 minutes from Wembley, to being left to fight for Champions League qualification with a slender two-point cushion over fifth-placed Manchester City.

Whatever Klopp’s complaints, however, the manager must shoulder some of the responsibility for the defeat against a team 18th in the division below after making nine changes from midweek with only Karius and forward Roberto Firmino surviving.

Wolves themselves made seven changes including 20-year-old Harry Burgoyne, who with just two league appearances behind him was the replacement for the suspended Carl Ikeme, but he did not have a save to make until substitute Coutinho’s tame shot on the hour.

Klopp will point to the hectic schedule his team have faced – Tuesday’s visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea will be their 10th match in 32 days – and yet more officiating decisions going against them but there can be no excuses for the way his team have fallen away so badly.

In the first minute Wolves won a free-kick wide on the right. Helder Costa managed to steal 10 yards to make a more acute angle so when he swung in his cross Karius was caught in two minds whether to come for it or not.

The German opted for the latter and Stearman, who started in an offside position, took advantage to head home his first goal in English football since April 21, 2014.

Costa almost silenced Anfield with a 70-yard unopposed run only to slice a shot wide under pressure from 17-year-old Ben Woodburn who had tracked him all the way.

But the warning was not heeded and when Firmino gave away possession on the edge of Wolves’ area three minutes before half-time the ball was quickly switched to Costa wide right who, after Alberto Moreno completely missed his tackle, threaded through a pass for Weimann to score just a matter of seconds later.

Georginio Wijnaldum had a justifiable penalty shout turned down after a challenge from Weimann but Liverpool ended the half with 79 per cent possession and not a shot on target to show for it.

Klopp sent on Coutinho for right-back Connor Randall, on his first appearance of the season, with a switch to a three-man defence and when Firmino’s header was deflected wide by team-mate Ragnar Klavan from Woodburn’s free-kick it appeared an improvement was just around the corner.

The introduction of Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can made little difference, although Liverpool did get one back late on when Origi volleyed home from close range.

Wolves would have scored a third through substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson had it not been for Karius’ point-blank save and they held on for a shock win after Burgoyne denied Origi on the line.

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Stats

Liverpool have lost three consecutive games at Anfield for the first time since October 2012 (under Brendan Rodgers).

Jurgen Klopp has suffered three consecutive home defeats as a manager for the first time since April 2007, while in charge of German side FSV Mainz.

Wolves won at Anfield while scoring more than once for the first time since December 1950 (4-1).
Liverpool’s last three FA Cup defeats at Anfield have all been to second tier sides (Barnsley 2008, Reading 2010, Wolves 2017).

Divock Origi ended a run of 10 games without a goal in all competitions (since scoring against Middlesbrough in December).

Andreas Weimann has scored in three of his last four appearances at Anfield (two for Aston Villa and one for Wolves).

Helder Costa has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 11 games in all competitions for Wolves (five goals, six assists).

Liverpool’s first shot on target in the game came in the 60th minute.

Richard Stearman netted his first goal in any competition since April 2014, 1013 days ago (for Wolves v Leyton Orient).