Liverpool are traversing troubled waters as the Premier League reaches the mid-season mark.
Currently 9th in the Premier League and 10 points from a Champions League spot, the Reds haven't won in all competitions since the start of the new year. Jurgen Klopp's side took a 3-1 loss to Brentford and a 2-2 draw to Wolves in the FA Cup third round at Anfield before playing what Klopp called the worst ever performance by one of his teams in a 3-0 loss to Brighton.
The struggling Liverpool get a second bite of the cherry by taking on Wolves in a replay of the FA Cup third round, this time at Molineux Stadium. Watch the match starting at 2:45 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
A few days removed from the loss to Brighton, Klopp remained disappointed in his side's execution. However, the cup clash represents an opportunity to bounce back and kickstart a campaign which includes Premier League and Champions League matches.
As an added bonus, if Liverpool defeat Wolves they will be set for a re-match against Brighton in the fourth round on Jan. 29.
"It doesn't make the (Brighton) game better but obviously the next game is waiting, and that's the good thing in our life that there's always the next chance," Klopp told reporters on Monday. "That's what we are preparing for."
Liverpool will still need to do without many of their forwards. Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota remain sidelined. According to Klopp, Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez was "very close" to a comeback but will miss Tuesday's FA Cup clash.
Star centre-back Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Arthur Melo are also sidelined with injuries. James Milner, who returned to training last week, could be an option for Klopp on Tuesday.
"Yes, we will make changes, that's clear. But it is good as well," Klopp said. "What I mean is (we'll be) as strong as we can because we want to win the game. We obviously now need fresh legs.
"The easy thing is for me to sit here and tell the boys, 'Pretty much with the game at Brighton you put us in this situation, so let's have a look at how you can get us out of that again.' But that would mean I'm out of responsibility and I cannot, I just can't."
On the other end, Wolves are clawing back to life under new manager Julen Lopetegui — who took charge during the World Cup break.
In FA Cup play, a 66th-minute goal by Hwang Hee-chan gave Wolves a 2-2 draw to Liverpool at Anfield to force Tuesday's replay.
The men in orange then won their first Premier League game at home under the former Real Madrid and Spain manager with a 1-0 result against West Ham on Saturday. With the win, Wolves got themselves out of the drop zone and into 16th, two points clear of West Ham in the final relegation spot.
"It's always good to win, we work for that," Lopetegui told reporters on Monday about the win. "But that is all. We have to be ready, this is three points (but) we have to continue."
Their next step is against a Liverpool squad that his side had in the ropes only a few days ago. Lopetegui dimmed expectations, calling Liverpool "one of the best teams in the world."
"I'm sure that they are going to come here looking to (play) a big match and we have to be ready to overcome them," Lopetegui said. "The FA Cup will be an important aim for them, and for us too, so we have to fight to be able to overcome a fantastic team."
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