The fixtures were locked in following the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round draw and subsequent scheduling announcements on February 19, 2026. Liverpool will first travel to Molineux for a Premier League clash on Tuesday, March 3, kicking off at 8:15pm GMT (live on TNT Sports in the UK). Just 70 hours later, on Friday, March 6, Arne Slot’s side returns to the same venue for the FA Cup fifth-round tie, this time with an 8pm kick-off (broadcast on TNT Sports and BBC One).
The rapid turnaround—effectively turning a routine away trip into a mini-series against the same team in the same stadium—has sparked outrage among the Anfield faithful. Many supporters view the scheduling as unfair, particularly given the physical and tactical demands it places on the squad during a congested period of the season.
Social media has erupted with frustration, as fans highlight the rarity and potential risks of the arrangement. One viral post summed up the sentiment: “Back-to-back at Molineux in 4 days? Against Wolves of all teams? This is ridiculous scheduling 😡 Who thought this was a good idea?” Another supporter raged: “70-hour turnaround in the same ground after a midweek PL game? Injuries incoming. Thanks for nothing, FA/Premier League!” Complaints center on fatigue, the increased injury risk to key players like Dominik Szoboszlai (already carrying the team’s creative burden) and the returning Alexander Isak, and the tactical headache for Slot in preparing for two different competitions against an opponent who can simply recycle ideas from the first encounter.
The double-header is only the second time in the Premier League era that Liverpool have faced the same opponent twice from Monday to Friday in the same week—the previous instance being against Arsenal in September/October 2020 (Monday league, Thursday cup). That precedent offers little comfort, as fans recall how such quirks can disrupt momentum. With Liverpool already navigating a transitional campaign—sitting outside the top spots and relying on late-season surges—the added strain feels like an unnecessary burden.
Critics point out the broader fixture congestion: Liverpool’s run includes a trip to Nottingham Forest on February 22, West Ham at home on February 28, then the Wolves duo before a Champions League round-of-16 first leg in mid-March (away to one of Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, or Juventus). Slot has built his reputation on high-intensity pressing and rotation, but the short recovery window between two high-stakes games at a notoriously tough away venue has many questioning player welfare and fairness.
Wolves, currently struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table, stand to benefit from the familiarity—knowing Liverpool’s patterns from the league meeting could make the cup tie even more challenging. For the Reds, it means potentially rotating heavily for one fixture to preserve legs for the other, risking dropped points in a league where every match counts in the race for Champions League spots.
Fan reactions range from calls for the FA to reconsider scheduling to dark humor about “Molineux week” turning into a nightmare. “Two trips to Wolves in four days? Might as well book the hotel for the week and save on travel,” one quipped sarcastically. Others demand better protection for elite clubs in cup draws and TV selections, arguing that broadcast demands have once again prioritized entertainment over sporting integrity.
As the fixtures approach, the pressure mounts on Slot and his staff to manage the workload effectively. A strong result in the Premier League opener could set a positive tone, but any slip—coupled with injuries—could amplify the backlash. For now, Liverpool supporters are united in their anger over what many see as a poorly considered scheduling decision that could derail their season at a critical juncture.
With the club pushing for silverware across multiple fronts, this Wolves double-header has become an unexpected flashpoint, testing not just the team’s resilience but the patience of a fanbase already on edge amid an up-and-down campaign.
