Liverpool cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dominant second-half display against Wolves to keep alive their hopes of salvaging the season.
The Reds had suffered a last-gasp defeat in the Premier League at Molineux on Tuesday but gained revenge to reach the last eight.
After a forgettable first half, where they struggled for creativity and energy, the visitors then raced to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes of the restart.
Andy Robertson collected Curtis Jones’ pass and rifled into the bottom corner from 25 yards for his first goal since September, before Mohamed Salah struck 95 seconds later.
The Scotland international has only started five league games this season – and almost joined Tottenham in January – but underlined why he has been so crucial to Liverpool’s success since joining from Hull in 2017.
Moments later, he crossed for Salah to find the roof of the net, with the goal given after a video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside.
Midfielder Jones netted a third when he curled in from the edge of the area with 16 minutes left, before Hee-Chan Hwang pulled a goal back for Wolves in injury time.
The defending Premier League champions are sixth in the table with the FA Cup and Champions League their remaining hopes of silverware this season.
They go to Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday.
Liverpool analysis: Robertson shows he still has part to play
Robertson has been a fringe player for Liverpool this season.
He has just two league starts in three months after losing his place to summer signing Milos Kerkez, who arrived from Bournemouth for £40m.
Yet the Scotland international sent a reminder of his quality at Molineux with a stunning opener and a classy assist for Salah.
Since joining from Hull for just £8m in 2017, the defender has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League – and twice been runner up – two League Cups and an FA Cup.
Robertson has epitomised Liverpool’s success over the past decade and at 31 still has a lot to offer at Anfield.
He almost joined Tottenham in January – perhaps a lucky escape given Spurs’ Premier League woes – but Liverpool would be foolish to write him off.
Wolves analysis: FA Cup progress would have added needed gloss
It was not to be for Wolves, but there are bigger issues on the horizon.
Extending their FA Cup run to the quarter-finals would have added some gloss to a desperate season which will almost certainly end in relegation.
It would have given them more momentum going into the final eight games of the season, as they look to postpone confirmation of their drop to the Championship.
Though firmly in the relegation zone, Rob Edwards has improved the situation at Wolves – they are more competitive, they work harder and the atmosphere is not one of a club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
But their performance levels in what was ultimately their FA Cup exit did not match those of recent league wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Wolves have only won three league games this season, but Edwards will be frustrated by the second-half surrender here.
