The Tim Spiers debrief – Wolves 2 Liverpool 1

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves saw Nuno Espirito Santo's team win 2-1 and reach the fourth round.

Up for the cup

Most Premier League managers made their feelings on the FA Cup pretty clear when making their team selections over the weekend.

Twelve of them made at least eight changes to their XI and, of those, Liverpool, Bournemouth Huddersfield and Newcastle could have few complaints that they didn't progress to the fourth round (Newcastle face a replay).

Jurgen Klopp tried complaining, making a peculiar reference to the 'strong Molineux wind' having an impact on his team's play.

But in a surprise turn of his events his opposite number Nuno, for the first time since taking charge in 2017, made fewer than eight changes for a cup tie.

In fact, of the five changes he made, only two (Rui Patricio and Matt Doherty) could be classed as 'resting' players, with the introductions of match-winner Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Leander Dendoncker strengthening the XI, if anything.

A refreshing approach, then, and one that paid off as Wolves deservedly knocked out the Premier League leaders.

Wolves are in no danger of being relegated this season. Their target is finishing in the top 10...can they do that while maintaining a cup run, even with a small squad by Premier League standards?

We may be about to find out. After all, Wolves are already sixth favourites to end their 59-year wait and lift the FA Cup (that's before either Man United or Arsenal get knocked out in round four).

Wolves would fancy their chances of beating just about anybody, perhaps bar Manchester City, in a one-off game. They have pedigree on that front this season having beaten Spurs and Chelsea.

One thing’s for sure, the club’s passionate supporters would need absolutely no excuse to fully embrace a run in the competition. Fans have been brought up on tales of the 1949 and 1960 successes as well as a number of near misses in recent years, especially under Sir Jack Hayward who so coveted a cup win.

And you like an omen... Wolves have now beaten Liverpool five times in the FA Cup; on the three previous occasions they did so as a top flight club (1896, 1939 and 1949), they went on to reach the final.

If Nuno continues to take it seriously and if Wolves can get a favourable couple of draws, who knows how far they can go.

Up for the cup? You bet they are.

Decent draw

In previous years most Wolves fans would have preferred one of the big boys at home, i.e. a glamour tie.

This season? Not so much. If Wolves want to progress into the later rounds of the competition it's winnable ties they want – and Shrewsbury Town or Stoke City away represent exactly that.

Both sides are in mid-table, both have struggled this season. Stoke sacking Gary Rowett may lead to a resurgence for the Potters, mind.

Either way it's a local derby and one to look forward to. You could argue Wolves may a better chance of winning away from home, in front of a packed away end, rather than at a flat, half empty Molineux.

Plenty of positives

After a truly dire opening 38 minutes to file under 'completely unforgettable' the tie came to life after Jimenez's expertly-taken goal, fuelled by great work from the revitalised Diogo Jota who picked up where he'd left off before that troublesome hamstring strain.

Thereafter, Wolves were the better side. They began to harass and harry the makeshift, inexperienced Liverpool back line and could arguably have won this by a more comfortable margin.

They came under some pretty severe pressure in the closing stages and one of the most impressive aspects of this win was the composed manner in which they saw the game out.

With 15 minutes to go it was getting pretty frantic and nervy but the likes of Joao Moutinho and Neves stayed composed – and John Ruddy didn't have a save to make in those closing stages.

That was one of a number of positives on the night.

Jota and Neves were at their influential best, with the latter producing his best performance of the season, combining his natural artistry with the more rugged version we've seen of Neves in recent weeks to great effect.

Leander Dendoncker showed a few more of his attributes following a reserved debut at Spurs. The Belgian played more of a box-to-box role (if Jimenez fancied squaring it for the first goal Dendoncker was completely free), made a couple of important interceptions and sniffed out some danger.

He doesn't look the most mobile of players but he adds height and strength – and will surely only improve with the more minutes he gets.

The back three all contributed and of course Jimenez led the line with the quality and tireless work rate we've become accustomed to.

His £30m fee looks more reasonable by the week.

Ruddy marvellous

And then behind them all Ruddy was one of the heroes of the tie, pulling off one of the saves of Wolves' season to tip Xherdan Shaqiri's free kick on to the post.

Ruddy, despite his lack of game time, remains an important presence in the Wolves dressing room.

In theory he's enduring one of the worst and certainly most frustrating seasons of his career, barely kicking a ball as Wolves soar into the top half of the Premier League.

But, as many in the dressing room will tell you, he hasn't let that lessen his influence, or his professionalism.

He's still dishing out advice to the younger players, geeing the lads up when they're down or being the first to congratulate them on a win.

Wolves are lucky to have him – and Monday showed that him being in the team doesn't weaken it whatsoever.

Nights like last night are a reward for his patience – and he'll for a few more before the season is done.

Final word

Star man: Ruben Neves

The boss: Taking the cup seriously

Fans: Would love a cup run

Magic moment: Neves finding his range

In a word: Satisfying

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