Nuno Espirito Santo praised Wolves after FA Cup win over Liverpool
Wolves beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup third-round tie at Molineux
Monday 7 January 2019 23:30, UK
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised his players after their FA Cup win over Liverpool.
Ruben Neves scored the winner as Wolves beat the Premier League leaders 2-1 at Molineux to progress to the fourth round where they will face either Shrewsbury or Stoke.
Raul Jimenez gave Wolves the lead in the first half and though Divock Origi levelled things up after the interval, Neves won the game with a trademark long-range strike.
"It was a good performance, a tough game," said Nuno. "We had good counter-attacks and when we had possession we had possession. It was a very good performance.
"In the first half we were very good and in the second half we got the reaction we wanted when we lost a goal almost immediately. In general, I think it was a very good game."
Neves has already lit up Molineux with his long distance shooting before and Nuno was delighted to see his compatriot among the goals once more.
"It's something that Ruben does and we encourage him to do," he added. "Last season, we saw it pretty often. We know he has this talent. It was a good strike. It's something he has to improve.
"It was such a beautiful goal. Molineux came alive again. I am very proud against a very good team. How we did it was good. Now we need to do it again."
John Ruddy was brought in for Rui Patricio and played his part as he tipped Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick onto the inside of the post in the second half.
"It is very difficult for John to be in the situation he is in and every day keep the levels high like he does," said Nuno. "It is amazing. For him, it was a special moment."
There was also praise for Jimenez after his seventh goal of the season and though Nuno would not be drawn on a proposed loan move for Chelsea's Tammy Abraham there was a reminder that it will take something special to improve this squad.
"He has big competition inside [the squad] already," said Nuno of Jimenez. "We have five or six players to play in that position already.
"When you bring someone in, you have to be really careful because he has to bring something that we do not have already.
"If someone comes in they have to bring something really special because we already have something really good."
