“I’m a big believer in winning games. That’s what Liverpool need to do.”
Bless Paul Merson.
The former Arsenal and England forward is often dismissed as a spoofer during his Soccer Saturday stints but there was an element of sense to his comments this afternoon.
Merson was referring to Liverpool’s decision to go with several second-string players for today’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves. He called on Jurgen Klopp to go with Liverpool’s strongest XI so his team – eliminated from the EFL Cup midweek – could get back on a winning run.
Klopp opted to rest Simon Mignolet for the home tie and Loris Karius, his replacement would have been hoping for a better start than this.
53 seconds in and the German hesitated to come for an in-swinging cross:
That decision back-fired as, from five yards out, Richard Stearman headed home his first goal in 1,013 days.
What a start for @OfficialWolves!👊
Richard Stearman heads them ahead after just 52 seconds! #LIVWOL #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/UomIFapqOs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 28, 2017
Liverpool fans are in as tender place right now and they did not need their defence leaking more goals or their goalkeeper spectating on the opener.
Karius allowing Stearman to head home from 4 yards out is pathetic. no presence within his own box. #LFC #LIVWOL #FACup
— Chris Williams (@chrwil82) January 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tyrone__C/status/825324696149303297
#bbcfacup A goal from a cross dropping on the six yard box. Goalkeeper's ball. Karius should've come for it. Instead he stepped back from it
— Terry Mahoney 💙🇵🇸 🇺🇦 (@gotmethere) January 28, 2017
Announce wall
https://twitter.com/Dan_Crellin/status/825324091024474112
Announce substitution
https://twitter.com/MissBardle/status/825323443092611072
Announce Hart!
@Karius or @Mignolet needs to leave in the Summer for @JHart. I've not seen where the Two Keepers singlehandedly Won a Match for the #Team
— Kosi Kings (@kosikings) January 28, 2017
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