Wolves 2-1 Liverpool: Ruben Neves strike lifts Wolves into fourth round of the FA Cup
Ruben Neves fired Wolves into the fourth round as they dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup.
The midfielder struck to clinch a 2-1 win at Molineux just after Divock Origi cancelled out Raul Jimenez's first-half opener to earn Wolves a trip to either Stoke or Shrewsbury in round four.
It was Liverpool's second straight defeat after their 2-1 loss at Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made nine changes and gave debuts to three teenagers and saw his shadow side produce a flat display.
But they were denied a replay by John Ruddy's superb save when he turned Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick onto the post, although Wolves were good value for their win against the lacklustre visitors.
The Reds gave debuts to teenagers Curtis Jones and Rafael Camacho from the start while 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever made his bow after just five minutes.
Dejan Lovren added to Klopp's defensive worries when he was forced off injured leaving the visitors without a recognised centre-back as right-back Hoever, Liverpool's third-youngest player ever, partnered Fabinho.
Wolves looked to take advantage and Alberto Moreno deflected Jonny's drive wide while Neves and Joao Moutinho shot well over.
Hoever remained untroubled with James Milner - who made his Premier League debut the year the defender was born - initially providing a shield from midfield.
Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah on the bench, were subdued and Shaqiri's wild effort which flew wide after 31 minutes was their only threat.
But, with three teenagers making their debuts, it was Milner who gifted Wolves the opener seven minutes before half-time.
The 33-year-old was robbed by Diogo Jota on the halfway line and the striker found Jimenez.
With Liverpool's defence missing Jimenez ran unchallenged before coolly sweeping past Simon Mignolet from 10 yards.
The Reds needed a response and they briefly rallied six minutes after the break.
It was out of keeping with Liverpool's passive play but Origi found a leveller after an anonymous first half when he worked space on the edge of the area and his sharp drive beat Ruddy.
Parity lasted just four minutes though as Wolves retook the lead when Neves took aim and fired into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Wolves had lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Premier League just before Christmas but they were much improved and only Jimenez's heavy touch as he poked around Mignolet prevented a third.
Liverpool continued to struggle, failing to find their spark, but Ruddy preserved the hosts' lead with a wonderful fingertip save with 21 minutes left - turning Shaqiri's free-kick onto the inside of the post.
Sensing defeat, Liverpool's first at Molineux since 1981, Klopp threw on Salah and Roberto Firmino with little reward.
Wolves held on to knock Liverpool out for the second time in three seasons.
Opta facts: Wolves 2-1 Liverpool
- Wolves earned their first home win against Liverpool in seven attempts (D3 L3), since a 1-0 win in August 1981.
- Liverpool have been eliminated from six of their last eight FA Cup ties against fellow Premier League opponents.
- Wolves have eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup five times – Stoke are the only side they’ve knocked out of the competition more (6).
- Raúl Jiménez’s goal was Wolves’ first at home against Liverpool in 398 minutes, since Kenny Miller scored a 90th minute goal against them in January 2004.
- Eight of Rúben Neves’ nine goals for Wolves in all competitions have been from outside the box, with his other strike coming from the penalty spot.
- Liverpool’s Divock Origi scored his second goal in the FA Cup, with the other also coming against Wolves back in January 2017.
- At 16y 354d, Ki-Jana Hoever became Liverpool’s youngest ever player in the FA Cup, and third youngest to debut for the Reds overall.
- Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri has ended on the losing side in all four of his appearances in the FA Cup (three times with Stoke).