Wolves boss Rob Edwards predicts Liverpool change ahead of FA Cup game

Wolves play Liverpool for the second time in three days in the FA Cup at Molineux on Friday night, with Rob Edwards' side hoping to cause an upset for the second time in a row

Rob Edwards isn't expecting an easy game against Liverpool(Image: David Rogers, Getty Images)

Wolves manager Rob Edwards anticipates his side must be prepared for a "better and quicker" Liverpool when the teams meet for the second time in three days at Molineux in the FA Cup tonight.

Reigning champions Liverpool became only the third side to suffer defeat against Wolves when they succumbed to a disappointing 2-1 Premier League loss on Tuesday evening.

The bottom-placed team has shown considerable improvement under Edwards, who assumed control in November, and entered the fixture following an encouraging 2-0 derby victory at home to Aston Villa. However, that could not justify a lacklustre performance from the Reds, who failed to truly spark into life until Rodrigo Gomes broke the deadlock in the 78th minute.

Mohamed Salah ended his 10-game drought for a Premier League goal when he levelled five minutes later, and Liverpool intensified the pressure in pursuit of a winner. Instead, they were caught by a 94th-minute counter-punch when their former transfer target Andre saw his effort deflect off Joe Gomez and sail over the stranded Alisson Becker into the net.

In anticipation of facing the Reds for the second time in quick succession, Edwards stated, "It's the same team, but we will redo it because we always go through it. We'll all always look at areas that we didn't get right the other night, areas we need to improve, areas where we think they'll try and exploit, so there's always bits that we can brush up on.

"We need to be better than we were the other night to try and get something from the game because we expect them to be better.

"Reflecting and watching the game back and what we've been able to say with the boys, they're a brilliant team and they've got great players. They might make one or two changes, but I don't anticipate loads of change tactically, because it could still cause us problems what they do.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards shakes hands with his Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot after Tuesday's Premier League match at Molineux(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

"But I think they'll look to try and do things better and quicker, and we've got to be ready for that. There was actually a lot of good stuff in the first half without us then carrying enough threat, and we were actually pretty good without the ball and there was some really good moments with it as well.

"But once we actually broke a line or got behind their midfield, we needed to be a bit better.

"The game then started opening up a little bit more in the latter stages and we looked a bit of a threat, but I thought the impact of the lads coming on was really good."

Despite their consecutive victories, it would still require a miracle for Wolves to avoid relegation as they are 12 points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Nottingham Forest with nine Premier League fixtures remaining.

However, with their fans fantasising about an FA Cup run to Wembley, Edwards stated: "Of course, they are. We're going into the match with full intent and purpose to try and win it. Our goal is to advance as far as possible in the cup.

"We understand the magnitude of the challenge, we know how excellent Liverpool are, and we always aim to show great respect to our opponents, but especially this opposition.

"They have an outstanding manager who's won trophies and their players are all accustomed to winning the most prestigious titles, but we must enter the match with belief, and I want the supporters to do the same."