Liverpool face a must-win fixture to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and make up for their midweek defeat as they return to Molineux to take on Wolves for the second time in three days.
Wolves vs. Liverpool
FA Cup Fifth Round | Molineux
March 6, 2026 | 8pm (GMT)
The Reds lost 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, on another damaging night in a season full of disappointment.
Liverpool can avenge that loss with victory in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday, with Arne Slot expected to make changes.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.
Big response needed from Liverpool
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts to conceding their side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s season arguably reached a new nadir on midweek, with yet another stoppage-time goal conceded en route to defeat.
A big response is required from the Reds, not least for Arne Slot, who is battling to save his job amid fan dissatisfaction.
Liverpool’s performances have been lacking all season long, including slow starts, and victory is essential on Friday.
Exiting the FA Cup will only increase the feeling of unrest.
Florian Wirtz could be back on Liverpool’s bench
Liverpool could welcome back Florian Wirtz after the German’s absence with a back injury.
Slot has confirmed that he has returned to parts of training and has a chance of making a cameo appearance, which would be the best-case scenario:
“He trained half and half yesterday with the team. What I mean with that is he was a ‘joker’, you say over here I think, so he made the next step in his rehab.
“So, let’s see where he is today and if he then could be available for a few, a few minutes tomorrow, in the best scenario.”
Liverpool still have long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak unavailable.
What will Liverpool’s XI vs. Wolves be?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot is almost certain to ring the changes at Molineux, given the quick-fire nature of the two fixtures, though did still insist it will be a “strong” side.
Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson may start in the two full-back positions, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk continuing at centre-back.
Curtis Jones is expected to be part of the midfield, while youngster Trey Nyoni will also hope to feature.
Rio Ngumoha should earn a richly-deserved start, with the 17-year-old surely picked over the out-of-sorts Cody Gakpo.
The Dutchman could start centrally, however, giving the tired-looking Hugo Ekitike a rest.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
How many changes will Wolves make?
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rodrigo Gomes celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Wolves all but certainly relegated from the Premier League, the FA Cup will now take precedence for them – which is not what Liverpool want after Tuesday’s debacle.
For that reason, Rob Edwards is expected to go as strong as possible, though Sam Johnstone could replace Jose Sa in goal having started in the previous two rounds of the competition.
Rodrigo Gomes and Tolu Arokodare scored and assisted from the substitutes’ bench against Liverpool, respectively, so they will hope to come in.
Possible Wolves XI: Johnstone; Mosquera, Bueno, Krejci; Tchatchoua, Gomes, Andre, Bueno; Bellegarde, Mane; Armstrong
Will there be extra time and penalties?
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 30, 2022: The FA Cup trophy on display before the FA Community Shield friendly match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at the King Power Stadium. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time will be required rather than a replay.
The match will then go to penalties if there is no victor after the additional 30 minutes, ensuring the away fans don’t get home until the early hours of Saturday!
Slot will certainly be hoping his players can get the job done before then.
The last time Liverpool played Wolves in the FA Cup
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 17, 2023: Liverpool's match-winning goal-scorer Harvey Elliott celebrates after the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners at Molineux in the FA Cup third round back in 2023, thanks to a Harvey Elliott winner.
The two sides had initially drawn 2-2 at Anfield.
This is the ninth time that Liverpool and Wolves have locked horns in the competition, with the first meeting finishing in a 2-0 win for Wanderers in 1986.
Liverpool prevailed in the second round in 1929, but Wolves progressed from the fifth round in both 1939 and 1949.
In 1952, the Reds got past Wolves in round four, and 65 years passed before the next meeting – a 2-1 win for Wanderers at Anfield in the fourth round in 2017.
They also prevailed by the same scoreline at Molineux in 2019, so they have had plenty of success in the fixture.
VAR returns to the FA Cup
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 14, 2024: The scoreboard shows a VAR check for a red card during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having not been used in the third and fourth rounds, VAR now returns to the FA Cup for the rest of the season.
It was better without it, right?
Did You Know?
2J9AY3N Manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp celebrates with the FA Cup Trophy - Chelsea v Liverpool, The Emirates FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, London - 14th May 2022
Liverpool have only actually reached the FA Cup quarter-finals twice in the last 11 years.
They got to the last eight in 2021/22, going on to win the competition after defeating Chelsea on penalties in the final at Wembley.
But their only quarter-final appearance since 2015/16 came two years ago, when Man United beat them 4-3 at Old Trafford after extra-time.
That last-gasp Amad Diallo winner still hurts.
Who is the referee for Wolves vs. Liverpool?
Farai Hallam will referee Friday’s match, in his second game in charge of Liverpool.
The first was the 4-1 win at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup third round back in January, when he showed just one yellow card.
Hallam’s assistants are Adrian Holmes and Mark Stevens, while Anthony Backhouse is the fourth official.
James Bell is in charge of VAR, assisted by Daniel Robathan.
How to follow and watch Wolves vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: A general view before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Wolves vs. Liverpool kicks off the FA Cup action for the weekend, with coverage getting underway at 7pm (GMT) on TNT Sports 1. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Henry Jackson is in charge of This Is Anfield‘s matchday live blog from 7.15pm, looking to guide you through an improved performance and result.
Come on you Reds!