Liverpool will begin the defence of their FA Cup trophy, as they host Wolves on Saturday night.
The Reds enter the domestic cup clash on the back of a disappointing defeat against Brentford in the Premier League, with Virgil van Dijk picking up a hamstring injury in a 3-1 defeat. Saturday offers a chance for Liverpool to pick themselves up and find their feet again, with Wolves making the trip to Anfield in the third-round tie.
Jurgen Klopp’s men won the FA Cup last season against Chelsea, beating the Blues on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes. January signing Cody Gakpo could make his debut for the Reds against Wolves, with the Dutchman currently training with Liverpool following his transfer from PSV.
Van Dijk and Joel Matip both picked up injuries against Brentford on Monday evening whilst Naby Keita has been missing from training, with the trio joining Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur on the sidelines. So, despite all those absentees, can the Reds advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night?
Using FIFA 23 and updating the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions, we simulated the game to predict the score.
Liverpool vs Wolves score predicted by simulation
We predict that the Reds could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their team as follows: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson, Bajetic, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.
We predict that Wolves could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Sa; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; Nunes, Neves; Hee-Chan, Moutinho, Traore; Cunha.
A regular theme with Liverpool's season, the Reds found themselves a goal down after 24 minutes, with Joao Moutinho scoring a long-range screamer to send Wolves ahead with their first shot of the game. The goal was against the run of play, but an error from the visitors saw the Reds level the score four minutes later.
As Wolves tried to play it out from the back, Nathan Collins' pass to Ruben Neves was under hit, allowing Darwin Nunez to intercept and surge towards goal. Through one-on-one, Jose Sa rushed off his line, and Nunez smartly dinked his effort over the 'keeper and into an empty net.
The Reds had created plenty of good chances in the first half, with Mohamed Salah, Stefan Bajetic and debutant Cody Gakpo all being denied by Sa. The Reds won a corner in the 45th minute, and it led to a goal as Liverpool entered the break a goal ahead.
Andrew Robertson's out-swinging corner was glanced on at the near post by Jordan Henderson, but Sa reacted quickly to punch his effort up in the air. With the 'keeper still on the floor, Henderson was first to meet the ball as it came back down, and he leapt highest to head the loose ball into the net to make it 2-1.
Despite their control in the first half, the second half played out differently, with Wolves creating plenty of big chances and the Reds struggled. Gakpo hit the underside of the crossbar in the 90th minute as Liverpool looked to hold out for the win, but the high line was caught out in the 95th minute, and Wolves found an equaliser with the last kick of the game.
With bodies forward, the ball was overturned by Wolves deep in their half, and Neves played a long ball forward which was latched onto by substitute Raul Jimenez. After beating the high line the striker was one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher, and the striker curled his shot around the 'keeper to make it 2-2 and secure a replay at Molineux.
FIFA 23 predicts: Liverpool 2-2 Wolves
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts Liverpool's defensive fragility, which has been on show too many times this season, could prove to be an issue once again, with a 2-2 draw against Wolves setting up a replay at a later date. With a tired-looking squad and an already congested schedule, another fixture would not be ideal for Jurgen Klopp's side.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments.
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