2022-23 FA Cup: Third Round – Liverpool vs Wolves

Liverpool begin their title defence against Wolves in Saturday Night Football at Anfield in Third Round of 2022-23 FA Cup.

Victory would see Liverpool reach the Fourth Round for a fourth consecutive season, whilst Wolves look to avoid a Third Round exit for the fourth time in five seasons.

 

Team News

Virgil Van Dijk is ruled out for Liverpool after he suffered a hamstring injury during their 3-1 Premier League loss at Brentford.

Cody Gakpo (personal) could be in line for his Liverpool debut whilst James Milner (hamstring), Jordan Henderson (concussion) and Roberto Firmino (calf) could all return if declared match fit.

Arthur Melo (thigh), Luis Diaz (knee) and Diogo Jota (calf) remain absent.

Wolves could be without Daniel Podence after he suffered a knock during their 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in midweek.

Boubacar Traore (unspecified), Chiquinho, Sasa Kalajdzic (both knee) and Pedro Neto (ankle) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Liverpool host Wolves at Anfield on Saturday 7 January live on ITV4, with kick-off set for 8pm GMT.

 

Stat Attack

• Liverpool have won just two of five previous FA Cup ties against Wolves (W2, L5).
• Wolves have won just one of two previous FA Cup meetings against Liverpool at Anfield (W1, L1).
• Each of the last three FA Cup meetings between Liverpool and Wolves ended in 2-1 results, of which the Reds won on one occasion.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in five of their last seven FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition excluding penalty shootouts (W4, D1, L2).
• Wolves have won just one of their last five FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition excluding penalty shootouts (W1, D1 L3).
• Liverpool have suffered Third Round exits in four of the seven previous seasons when they entered as reigning champions (1965-66, 85-86, 92-93 & 2006-07).

 

Prediction

Having suffered a shock defeat at Brentford to start 2023 on the wrong foot, Liverpool have to simply up their game because their defending of aerial crosses and set pieces primarily cost them, on top of poor end product quality despite improved second-half intensity.

Wolves meanwhile did well to snatch a draw at Villa despite having earned a deserved lead with excellent attacking intensity, yet ultimately were wasteful whilst a deep unexpected long ball simply blew their defence apart late on so hopefully there will be tighter defending here.

Anfield though has often been a tricky place for Wolves to come especially when now against the reigning champions, who I just can’t see losing here if they can produce a reaction to their sluggish efforts last time out and Gakpo quickly produces fresh firepower up front.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Result: Liverpool 2-2 Wolves