WOLVERHAMPTON, England — In an instant, it was as if Liverpool had reverted to their past form. Andy Robertson thrust his fist skyward in triumph while Mohamed Salah was enveloped by his ecstatic colleagues.
It was a well-known routine for both, who had just collaborated to net their second goal Friday night at Molineux Stadium, propelling their squad towards a spirit-lifting 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The away end supporters lauded two of their contemporary greats with customary zeal, as if unearthing a cherished, time-honored anthem.
Robertson and Salah have been far from their peak performance this season; specifically, the latter’s form had exacerbated Liverpool’s collective malaise. Yet, on an evening when Arne Slot’s side were compelled to perform, it was apt that two of their most esteemed veterans rose to the occasion. With this triumph, Liverpool became the first team to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinal round.
It wasn’t merely the individual players who brought forth recollections of Liverpool’s heyday but also the manner in which they scored their goals. Having faced season-long censure for a pronounced absence of velocity and vigor, it was striking that the Reds’ post-interval success stemmed from two rapid counter-attacks — executed superbly by Robertson and Salah before Curtis Jones sealed the triumph with an outstanding individual effort.
Liverpool’s initial two goals, scored in close succession merely 95 seconds apart, underscored the belief that Slot’s players excel when they shed their caution. For the second time in 72 hours, Wolves netted during added time but, unlike Tuesday night when André’s late goal grabbed the victory for the hosts, Hwang Hee-Chan’s effort was merely a small comfort.
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Having suffered another humbling late loss in midweek top-flight league play — also against Wolves at Molineux — the FA Cup presented Liverpool an opportunity to swiftly rectify past missteps and help to silence the clamor that has arisen following each subpar outcome this season.
However, even though Wolves manager Rob Edwards had implied his team’s top-tier league victory could have incensed Liverpool, there was scant indication of more than slight irritation in the opening half Friday night.
Though Liverpool played with greater vigor and fervor than their previous outing, they still found it arduous to create distinct scoring opportunities against a Wolves side content to defend deep and absorb the offensive brunt. Slot’s decision to start the talented Rio Ngumoha gave the team boosted momentum on the flanks, with the 17-year-old compelling a clever early stop from Sam Johnstone and vexing rival defenders with notable consistency.
Nevertheless, the fact that Liverpool so frequently had to rely on the youth as their central creative force was indicative of the dullness of their collective performance, with the away Reds accruing an expected goals (xG) metric in the opening half of just 0.44.
Liverpool notably outclassed their adversaries in nearly every aspect — Wolves failed to produce an attempt on goal prior to the interval — but still they had no tangible reward in the first half. When the half-time signal sounded, Slot might have been beginning to dread a repetition of their familiar narrative for his team.
Robertson, though, appeared resolute in preventing a recurrence of past events. Having observed the majority of Tuesday’s encounter from the substitutes’ area, the Scotland captain was disapproving of Liverpool’s showing, asserting that the caliber of play “fell short.”
“Playing in such a manner rarely yields victories in football,” Robertson conveyed to BBC Sport prior to their Friday journey to the West Midlands. “I think we introduced vigor into the match somewhat belatedly.”
Apparently resolved to keep his team from succumbing to the same pitfall in this instance, Robertson acted decisively when the sphere arrived at his feet on the periphery of the penalty area, bending a magnificent shot beyond an unavailing Johnstone. Scarcely sixty seconds following the resumption of play, the Scotsman reasserted control, sprinting along the left wing to deliver a characteristically menacing cross into the box.
Salah was positioned to capitalize from near proximity, registering his 254th goal for Liverpool to place the Reds in a commanding position. Curtis Jones clinched the outcome definitively when he advanced towards the periphery of the 18-yard box and curled a magnificent strike into the lower angle, inciting the visiting Liverpool faithful to erupt in a chant of “We’re going to Wembley”.
Their jubilations continued unabated when Robertson — the last Liverpool player to leave the pitch — concluded his post-game press obligations. Having been speculated to depart the team in January, it was clear that the backline player, whose contract ends in the summer, savored the opportunity to rekindle his former prowess and galvanize his squad to a win that could emerge crucial in the Reds’ pursuit of concluding this campaign successfully.
“He cherishes this club, and he delights in performing before these supporters,” Slot remarked about the backline player during his post-game press briefing. “These fans were magnificent, incidentally, just three days following their profound disappointment. Like us, they were compelled to travel and support again on a Friday night in this location. I am uncertain if the same individuals were present, but there was unequivocally an increased number due to the expanded allocation for visiting supporters in the FA Cup.
“Robbo, throughout the eighteen months I have been here, has devoted himself entirely to the club. I believe the supporters would inform me that his dedication extends beyond merely this past year and a half. He has demonstrated this commitment for the entirety of his tenure here.”
Robertson’s performance against Wolves provided a fleeting vision of Liverpool’s former self. If he — and the rest of his teammates — can emulate such standards in the coming months, Slot’s side could still redeem some success from this unpredictable season.