Liverpool 2-2 Wolves: Hwang Hee-chan Earns Lopetegui’s Side Deserved Replay in FA Cup Third Round

Liverpool survived a late scare but still face an FA Cup replay with Wolves after a VAR call labelled “impossible” by Julen Lopetegui denied Toti a late winner in a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Toti backheeled Hwang Hee-Chan’s low centre into the net in the 82nd minute to spark wild celebrations in the away end, which were eventually dampened when a flagged offside in the build-up was upheld by VAR – even though ITV reported video official Mike Dean did not have a camera angle of the alleged offence.

“We have seen it, and the offside doesn’t exist,” Lopetegui told ITV after visiting referee Andy Madley with captain Ruben Neves. “It’s impossible, but someone has told him that it is offside. We have seen the image, and it doesn’t exist.”

It proved the final twist in a memorable FA Cup clash at Anfield, which Wolves led after 26 minutes thanks to Alisson’s horribly wayward pass which handed Goncalo Guedes an open goal.

In contrast, the hosts’ equaliser just before half-time was one of pure quality. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 40-yard cross-field ball fell perfectly for Darwin Nunez, and he finished superbly past Matija Sarkic.

Liverpool turned the game on its head after half-time when debutant Cody Gakpo’s deep cross was nodded on by Toti, who by deliberately playing the ball was contentiously ruled to have played Mo Salah onside for an opportunity he buried.

That decision proved another bone of contention for Lopetegui, who said: “The second goal from Liverpool is the same. It’s the same rule. Salah was offside before Toti touched the ball, and of course Toti [reacts] to the position of [Salah].”

Wolves were given some respite as Liverpool’s fragile backline was breached again through Chan, who bundled home his first club goal in 11 months – before Toti’s overturned winner denied Lopetegui the finest moment of his short Wolves career to date.

Both sides will now face a replay at Molineux amid an already packed schedule later this month.

Jurgen Klopp went against many of his Premier League colleagues by naming a first-choice Liverpool XI to bounce back from Monday’s defeat at Brentford, but much of the first half at Anfield presented him with familiar frustrations.

Gakpo and Salah both enjoyed early opportunities in a good Liverpool start, but their nonchalance at the back threatened to cost them even then. Joel Matip was caught cold by Guedes when dribbling out of the Liverpool box, and was lucky to get away unscathed.

Soon after Alisson was less fortunate when he passed straight to the Portuguese under little pressure, and was left to watch on as he fired into an empty net.

Wolves were not flattered by the scoreline but had their lead snatched away moments before half-time through a move they had little chance of stopping.

Alexander-Arnold’s raking cross-field ball was pinpoint for Nunez, whose finish across Sarkic was nearly as excellent.

The offside confusion began seven minutes into the second half with Liverpool’s second goal.

Salah latched onto Toti’s miscued header, which he may not have attempted had the forward not been offside, and lashed home a gift of a goal which VAR confirmed after a brief review.

Wolves missed a gilt-edged chance to level when Rayan Ait-Nouri was played through but fired straight at Alisson.

But soon their sense of injustice was softened temporarily when substitute Hwang, back from a starring role with South Korea at the World Cup, burst into the Liverpool area and bundled home an equaliser after exchanging passes with Cunha.

But the visitors, and Lopetegui in particular, were incensed when Toti’s apparent winner from a corner was ruled out by the linesman’s flag when Matheus Nunes was ruled offside in the build-up.

After a lengthy VAR hold-up, Dean upheld the on-field decision without an opportunity to review it himself to force Wolves to settle for a draw, and keep Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the trophy alive.

Liverpool’s next game is at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday January 14 – kick-off 3pm.

Wolves’ next outing sees them travel to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday – kick-off 7.45pm.

Julen Lopetegui’s side then host fellow Premier League strugglers West Ham in a crucial top-flight clash on Saturday January 14 – kick-off 3pm.