Wolves player ratings vs Liverpool: Nunes and Cunha shine as Toti denied late winner

Wolves face an FA Cup replay versus Liverpool after Toti Gomes was controversially denied a late winner in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Toti believed he had settled the tie only to be deemed offside after bundling in Hwang Hee-chan’s scuffed shot. Goncalo Guedes had earlier given Wolves the lead before Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah turned the game around with goals either side of half-time.

Hwang levelled things up shortly after coming off the bench but Wolves were denied a winner. An FA Cup replay now awaits Wolves and Liverpool later this month.

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For the second game in a row, Wolves produced a strong first half performance and deservedly went ahead. Wolves’ chance to breach Liverpool’s goal appeared to have been and gone when Raul Jimenez was dispossessed on the edge of the 18-yard box but Alisson Becker inexplicably gifted the ball to Guedes. Guedes could hardly believe his luck and controlled Alisson’s pass before slotting into the empty net and wheeling away in front of the Kop.

Wolves were dangerous throughout the opening 45 minutes and almost went 2-0 up through Jimenez. Adama Traore zipped a ball across the six-yard box and the lunging Jimenez was inches away from converting at the far post.

The visitors were cruising at Anfield before a poor pass by Nathan Collins led to Liverpool’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Collins found Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Liverpool right-back advanced forward before delivering a cross to the far post where Nunez was waiting to volley home.

Wolves were architects of their own downfall and Toti’s’ glaring mistake allowed Salah to give Liverpool the lead at the beginning of the second half. The Portuguese defender got himself in a pickle and inadvertently flicked the ball onto Salah, who controlled it before slotting past Sarkic.

Rayan Ait-Nouri immediately had a chance to level matters after being played through on goal by Ruben Neves. Ait-Nouri couldn’t find a way past Alisson with a powerful left-footed drive and Liverpool escaped.

Julen Lopetegui introduced Matheus Nunes, Matheus Cunha and Hwang to get Wolves back into the game and the latter two combined for the equaliser in the 66th minute. Cunha returned a pass to Hwang and he bundled it home from inside the six-yard box to notch his first goal of the season.

Toti thought he had won it in after bundling the ball home from inside the six-yard box following a Wolves corner. Toti took his shirt off and raced to the corner flag in celebration only to see the offside flag raised once his teammates had finished mobbing him. Lopetegui and Wolves’ bench were incensed but VAR didn’t overturn the decision.

Matija Sarkic 6

Sarkic couldn’t have done much about either goal and, aside from a couple of passes which went astray in the first half, he was solid at Anfield.

Dexter Lembikisa 8

Lembikisa managed to keep Liverpool’s new signing Cody Gakpo quiet on his first senior start. The right-back was thrown it at the deep end by Lopetegui but performed commendably.

Nathan Collins 8

Collins was very solid right up until the moment where he misplaced the pass which led to Liverpool’s equaliser. He was pretty good after it too. The Irishman is improving under Lopetegui.

Toti Gomes 8.5

Toti was at fault for Salah’s goal after misjudging a header. He was clearly in two minds about whether to leave it, with Salah in an offside position behind him. Other than that, Toti was outstanding at the back for Wolves. He was a magnet when the ball went inside Wolves’ box and cleared everything. He also thought he had won the contest only to be denied by a dubious offside call.

Jonny Castro Otto 8

Jonny endured a shaky start before coming into his own at left-back. He did very well to contain Salah before switching to right centre-back for the final 25 minutes.

Adama Traore 7

Adama offered Wolves a great outlet on the right flank and worked tirelessly to support Lembikisa defensively. There were a couple of moments where his final ball could have been better, but Adama is clearly buying into Lopetegui’s methods and bringing a better version of himself to this team.

Ruben Neves 7

The Wolves captain started sloppily and gave away a few passes before getting to grips with the game. Some of his play from the 20th minute onwards was exceptionally good, including a lobbed pass which put Ait-Nouri through on goal.

Joe Hodge 7.5

There is so much to like about the diminutive midfielder. He hassles and harries opposing players with an infectious enthusiasm that has endeared him to supporters. Hodge deserves to be called a first team player.

Rayan Ait-Nouri 7

Ait-Nouri was menacing in the first half as Wolves played some expansive football. He should have scored in the second after being found by Neves.

Raul Jimenez 6

Jimenez showed some good touches and linked well with his teammates, but there was a moment before he went off which no doubt frustrated his coach. With Wolves in a four against three situation, Jimenez elected to drive inside and shoot when he should have played slid in Lembikisa to his right.

Goncalo Guedes 7

Guedes produced one of his better performances in a Wolves shirt in the first half, where he was effective as part of a front two alongside Jimenez. He couldn’t miss after being presented with a gift by Alisson to score his second Wolves goal.

SUBS

Matheus Nunes (for Neves, 63) 7.5

Matheus added some class to Wolves’ midfield with yet another stellar showing. He was outstanding on the ball and Liverpool’s midfield couldn’t live with him.

Matheus Cunha (for Jimenez, 63) 7

Cunha is a player. He showed so many quality touches in his latest outing and set up Hwang for the equaliser.

Hwang Hee-chan (for Guedes, 63) 7

We are beginning to see the best of Hwang under Lopetegui. The South Korean is working relentlessly and got the goal his recent efforts have deserved.

Nelson Semedo (for Lembikisa, 67) 6

Brought on as a wing-back to help Wolves swing the momentum of the game.

Hugo Bueno (for Ait-Nouri, 73) 6

Added some solidity at left-back with a cameo off the bench.

Not used: Sa, Mosquera, Kilman, Ronan

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