Our Liverpool fans' jury members deliver their verdicts on the defeat to Wolves and the return trip to Molineux in the FA Cup
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool with Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has been missing for Liverpool but Arne Slot (right) says he could return to play some part in Friday's FA Cup clash at Wolves
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(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Liverpool make the swift return trip to Molineux tonight (Friday, 8pm kick-off) for a FA Cup fifth-round tie against Wolves having lost to the same side at the same ground 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday.
It was a humbling defeat that has thrown the Reds' hopes of qualifying for Europe into further jeopardy and increased the scrutiny on title-winning boss Arne Slot. For while it was only his side's third defeat in their last 22 matches in all competitions, losing to a team who are destined for relegation is not acceptable.
Now the focus must turn to Liverpool's only remaining hopes of silverware with the last-16 tie with Wolves followed by the Champions League round-of-16 showdown with Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday.
And ahead of those crucial matches, our Reds fans' jury has returned to have its say.
Rhys Buchanan
The team and manager will know that our midweek performance against Wolves was nowhere near good enough. It must have been a grim and sobering moment in the dressing room after that one. Luckily, there’s a chance to turn the page quickly and show some fight and determination on our quest for redeeming silverware.
In his press conference, Arne Slot alluded to injuries setting back our progress but it’s been massively concerning just how we just let 75 minutes drift by against a team planted at the bottom of the table.
If anything. I think the explosive form of [Florian Wirtz](http://Florian Wirtz) has been papering over a few cracks when it comes to slicing through oppositions and creating moments of magic.
Having him back even for a brief cameo could be a decisive factor in offering up something different tonight but the players on the pitch earlier in the week will want to put it right themselves.
I’d love to see the Reds come out the traps with a point to prove and put Wolves to the sword.
Andrew Cullen
“Same old story” were the manager’s damning words after the ignominious defeat to lowly Wolves. Prognosticators of an Indian summer-style renaissance for the Reds in the Premier League are best avoided. Hard-nosed realists recognise that the best this team can hope for is to limp into the top five and nab some silverware in late spring.
Slot-ball has become synonymous with flat non-event first halves, calamitous defensive errors, a ponderous playing style, a lethargic press and a penchant for mindless end-game chaos in a self-destructive pursuit of late winners.
Past heroes of yesteryear like Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah look like fading shadows of their former selves in an age of indefatigable running power.
Those searching for answers may seek solace in a belief that Arne Slot is the victim of the vicissitudes such as injury, a lack of squad depth and unexpected loss of form. Certainly, it is conceivable that adding two central midfielders with running power and two wide forwards with skill and speed to the squad might auger improvement. Others might counter with the riposte that Slot (his excellent campaign last season aside) has a style much more suited to European football rather than this current iteration of Premier League football characterised by raw muscularity.
The phrase “same old story” carries the initials ‘SOS’: Liverpool fans and the board have to work out whether it is the manager or the playing squad in extreme distress and in need of evacuation?
James Noble
Swiftly returning to Molineux on Friday night feels like a positive. Tuesday, needless to say, didn’t go as we’d hoped. Wolverhampton Wanderers are clearly an improved outfit, but open-play bluntness and poor game-management late on were, again, too prominent from a Liverpool standpoint.
Mohamed Salah breaking his Premier League duck, the relative solidity displayed prior to the opener, the Champions League race remaining tight, and indications in Arne Slot’s Thursday press conference that Florian Wirtz’s return is nearing, offer some bigger-picture encouragement, at least.
The chance respond within 72 hours – against the same opponents, at the same venue – is one to maximise, and one that could prove informative.
Reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals is the goal, of course, but this is also one of those games that could strengthen the squad – via rest for some and minutes for others – going into what we hope will be a busy remainder of the campaign.
The possibility of extra-time and penalties, while undesirable in several respects, could arguably even aid that process further, if rotation and substitutions are well-managed. Wolves may go up a few levels, too, given Rob Edwards’ midweek team selection suggested prioritisation of the cup tie.
Going into Tuesday evening’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Galatasaray, who themselves face Istanbul rivals Beşiktas on Saturday, on a positive note would be very welcome.