Liverpool's confidence hit rock bottom after falling to a shock defeat to Wolves
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks dejected following the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool
Mo Salah scored against Wolves but still came in for criticism(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool's campaign reached a fresh nadir on Tuesday following their shocking 2-1 loss to bottom-placed Wolves, leaving them facing widespread condemnation. The reigning Premier League champions were outplayed for large periods of the encounter at Molineux, with Rob Edwards' team delivering an impressive display.
Despite enjoying a three-game winning run, Arne Slot's squad appeared lacking in confidence and energy during a fixture that carried significant ramifications for their Champions League qualification ambitions. History could repeat itself on Friday as the Reds travel to Wolves once more in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Multiple members of Slot's team faced criticism, including Mohamed Salah who was subjected to a particularly scathing assessment from a former Reds legend. We also examine a caution from a Wolves player ahead of their second meeting in less than seven days.
Mo Salah rebuke
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts 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)
Mo Salah has been criticised(Image: Getty Images)
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Although Mohamed Salah broke his 10-match league goal drought against Wolves, his overall display attracted scrutiny. It was another disappointing showing on the flanks from Salah and Cody Gakpo, as their failure to beat opponents and shortage of pace meant the Reds again offered little threat from wide areas.
The statistics were stark, as despite attempting 19 shots, Liverpool registered merely seven on target, with only one hitting the back of the net, and rather fortuitously as Salah's effort resulted from an error by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
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Reds legend Steve Nicol admitted Salah played a part in the "horrible" decision-making Liverpool's attacking players made during the game. Speaking on ESPN, the former Scotland international said: "In the final third, the decision was just horrible.
"The one we showed in the highlight with Mo Salah... although he scored the goal, the goalie should've saved it and he really didn't contribute anything again all evening. I could sit here for 10 minutes and say everything that has gone wrong but [Tuesday] was a microcosm of what's gone wrong all season; poor decision-making, the front three done not much at all and defensively, you concede two goals from two shots."
Wolves star's warning
Rodrigo Gomes celebrates after scoring for Wolves against Liverpool
Rodrigo Gomes scored the opening goal for Wolves against Liverpool(Image: (Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Rodrigo Gomes was instrumental in the remarkable triumph at Molineux as his composed finish beyond Alisson Becker gave his team the lead. The Portuguese forward scored his third goal of the campaign and afterwards issued a warning to the struggling champions ahead of their Friday encounter.
The two teams meet once more in the Black Country, this time in the FA Cup fifth round, with Gomes encouraging his team-mates to maintain their consistency whilst insisting they can secure another win against Slot's outfit.
Following the final whistle, he said: "Liverpool again, here with our fans. We need to do the same, and if we play this, if we show this belief and quality, we have a good chance to win the game."
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