A look at how Liverpool might line up when they take on Wolves in the FA Cup on Friday.
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on March 03, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Liverpool return to the scene of the crime on Friday night for the second of their double header with Wolves, this time in the FA Cup. Seconds out. Round Two.
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Worryingly for Arne Slot, Rob Edwards' team selection in Tuesday night's 2-1 loss hinted at someone who viewed the Cup game as more important to a club who are still relegation certainties, despite their third win of the season earlier this week.
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So while it's likely Edwards will field a number of his more established seniors on Friday night, Slot is expected to go the opposite way. But just who makes the cut?
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First, let us address what is fast becoming the elephant in the room. Steven Gerrard added his name to a growing list that also includes Jamie Carragher by calling for Rio Ngumoha to get more minutes this season as Cody Gakpo's underwhelming campaign goes on.
Gerrard said: "He has to start Ngumoha now, he has to start him because heβs coming on and doing more in a short cameo and in a short space of time than Gakpo is doing in 65/70 minutes. He deserves a start now. He's got the start the kid on Friday night."
Ngumoha, who was only a substitute in the fourth-round win over Brighton, might get a rare start at Molineux in place of Gakpo, who struggled on the night. The teenager was brighter in his 25-minute cameo and almost scored had it not been for a superb Jose Sa save. He deserves to start this one.
What about the opposite flank? Mohamed Salah might have registered his first goal in the league since November 1 but it was another generally off-key performance from the Egypt captain. Might Jeremie Frimpong be entrusted in a more attacking position on the night? The jet-heeled Dutchman has been a bright spot when he has been fit and was restored to the team in defence on Tuesday night.
Having made his first start since late January, however, might this game come too soon for Frimpong, someone who must be carefully managed given the three relatively lengthy spells on the sidelines? Options are few and far between for Slot but Federico Chiesa is at least on call if needed.
Through the middle, Alexander Isak's ongoing recovery rules him out, so Hugo Ekitike will likely be expected to lead the line. Jayden Danns is back in in training at least, but having not played a game of any kind since suffering a serious hamstring injury in September, it would be a huge shock to see the striker start. A place on the bench would be progress for the young forward.
Danns hasn't featured for Slot since starting a Champions League dead-rubber at PSV in late January of last year, so at least, in that sense, he represents a 'new' option for the Reds boss going forward. An update on his general fitness levels will be expected from Slot when he previews this game on Thursday morning.
At right-back, much depends on Slot's use of Frimpong. Does Joe Gomez come back into the side at full-back? Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate's consistency as a partnership means the head coach will likely keep both in the team but Andy Robertson is slated to start in place of Milos Kerkez. As always, that right-back spot is a bone of contention but Calvin Ramsay is also there if needed.
Dominik Szoboszlai is unlikely to be asked to play there, however, with the Hungary captain restored to the engine room of late. Ryan Gravenberch's meandering performance at Wolves means Curtis Jones could be recalled, although Alexis Mac Allister is also present. Trey Nyoni will be vying for minutes too.
An update on Florian Wirtz will be forthcoming when Slot speaks to the media on Thursday morning but the Reds boss did not sound too enthusiastic about the Germany international chances when asked on Monday in his pre-match press conference. Wirtz has missed three games already with what we were told was only a minor issue. His creativity has been sorely missed.
Elsewhere, Kieran Morrison will be looking to take up a place on the bench as he continues to gain experience from being part of the match-day squad. The young winger has had an excellent season for the Under-21s and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup defeat earlier this season.
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