Football news - Liverpool dumped out of FA Cup by Wolves

Ruben Neves struck a stunning winner as Wolves dumped a much-changed Liverpool out of the FA Cup courtesy of a 2-1 victory in the third round at Molineux.

The Portuguese star, who has developed a reputation for his long-range shooting, lit up the tie with another trademark 30-yard effort on 55 minutes to deservedly clinch the spoils for Nuno Espírito Santo's men.

It came just four minutes after Divock Origi had cancelled out Raul Jimenez's first-half opener with the away side's first shot on target.

Liverpool almost levelled again late on but John Ruddy produced a sensational fingertip save to tip Xherdan Shaqiri's free kick on to the post.

Jurgen Klopp will be disappointed to have seen his team exit the competition at an early stage once again, but it was always going to be a tricky affair given the nine changes he made to his line up.

The Reds boss will take heart from the impressive performance of 16-year-old substitute, Ki-Jana Hoever, who was thrown into a makeshift defensive partnership with Fabinho when Dejan Lovren was injured early on, but there were few other positives as the club's central defensive issues appear to mount.

Next up, Liverpool will look to bounce back from two consecutive defeats at Brighton on Saturday, while Wolves visit Man City next Monday night, and can look forward to a fourth round clash with Shrewsbury or Stoke.

Klopp's rotation backfires. It's no surprise to see the top-flight's big guns ring the changes for the FA Cup in the modern era, but when it is away to another Premier League side, it is always a gamble. This one backfired for Klopp, who will have been dismayed that the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Naby Keita and Co failed to take their chance to shine. The plus points will have been the senior bows of teenagers Curtis Jones and Rafael Camacho, while 16-year-old Hoever rose to the occasion after being thrown into the deep end when he was brought on as a substitute early in the match to become the third youngest player in the club's history. Klopp and his players will now dust themselves down and focus on the challenges that lie ahead as they bid to end a 29-year wait to land the title.

Ruben Neves (Wolves). Tidy and inventive in possession. Capped a solid showing with a typically spectacular winner.

WOLVES: Ruddy 8, Bennett 7, Coady 7, Boly 7, Jonny 7, Vinagre 7, Neves 8, Moutinho 7, Dendoncker 7, Jota 7, Jimenez 8. Subs: Cavaleiro 6, Costa 6, Doherty n/a.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 5, Camacho 6, Fabinho 7, Lovren 5, Moreno 5, Keita 5, Milner 5, Jones 6, Shaqiri 7, Sturridge 5, Origi 7. Subs: Hoever 7, Salah 6, Firmino 6.

KEY MOMENTS


38' - GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Liverpool. The home side lead. Jimenez sprints free down the right and into the box before firing beyond Mignolet after Jota had robbed Milner just inside the Wolves half.

51' - GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Liverpool. Origi makes something out of nothing as he turns on the edge of the box and rifles a shot into the corner.

55' - GOAL! Wolves 2-1 Liverpool. Neves restores Wolves' lead with a sizzling 30-yard strike that dipped out of the reach of Mignolet.

69' - LIVERPOOL HIT THE POST! Shaqiri whips a sublime 25-yard free kick over the wall, but sees it crash back off the post.

Raúl Jiménez’s strike was Wolves’ first home goal against Liverpool in six hours and 38 minutes of action, since Kenny Miller netted in a 1-1 draw in January 2004.

Eight of Rúben Neves’ nine goals for Wolves have been from outside the box, with the other one coming from the penalty spot.

Liverpool have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage for the first time since 2011, when they lost 0-1 vs Manchester United.