Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a goal from Harvey Elliott as the defending champions defeated Wolves 1-0.
With his fourth goal of the campaign, the 19-year-old forced Jurgen Klopp's team to defeat their opponents. Within the first minute, Molineux's lights went out, but Liverpool ignited the dying season's embers to maintain their FA Cup defense.
After Saturday's 3-0 Premier League thrashing, they will receive a return trip to Brighton as compensation. It is difficult to imagine they would be as bad again; Klopp called it the worst performance of his career; yet, another Amex loss would effectively end their domestic season.
They were granted a reprieve after the first match with Wolves finished in a 2-2 draw, with Mo Salah scoring inexplicably before the visitors were incensed when Toti Gomes' goal was dubiously disallowed due to a VAR failure.
Despite Wolves' best efforts after controlling the second half, Liverpool did not miss their second opportunity, as the hosts never posed a significant threat to Wolves' goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
They also got off to a strong start, announcing the acquisition of Pablo Sarabia from Paris St. Germain before the game even began. They launched an immediate attack before a power outage briefly turned the stadium dark.
The hosts might have preferred a lengthier delay because Liverpool was able to score in the 13th minute as the lights quickly came back on. When the ball was sent back to Kelleher by Liverpool after Rayan Ait-effort Nouri's from a promising Wolves attack was blocked, Liverpool mercilessly cut through the opposition.
With Thiago Alcantara sweeping wide to Elliott to run into the ever-expanding space, Fabio Carvalho and Kostas Tsimikas played their way out of difficulty.
Without waiting for a second invitation, the England Under-21 international beat the frantic goalkeeper from 25 yards out while Jose Sa was out of position.
The significantly altered visitors continued to pose a threat, and Cody Gakpo missed the target shortly after. Then, following another fluid move, Carvalho had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.
Five minutes before halftime, Adama Traore shot wide from an angle for Wolves, who had significantly improved since Julen Lopetegui's hiring in November.
They had a lot of possession, but they were unable to create any meaningful chances, so Lopetegui called for reinforcements at halftime, bringing on Nelson Semedo and Matheus Nunes. Although Traore again wasted the hosts' greatest effort when he ballooned over from the edge of the box, it gave them more energy, and as the half went on, Wolves continued to lead.
Kelleher deflected Ruben Neves' free-kick over after Liverpool's rhythm had been broken, and Raul Jimenez was unable to make a good contact with Traore's cross.
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