It was the week that left Liverpool's season resting on a precipice. A 3-2 home defeat by Swansea City that inflicted a big dent in their Premier League title aspirations, followed by exits from two cup competitions in the space of four days.

Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten by Southampton in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, falling at the final hurdle in their pursuit of Wembley, then were dumped out by Wolves in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

It led to intense criticism of Klopp and his squad rotation policy for the FA Cup.

Jurgen Klopp looks on with dismay as Liverpool are dumped out of the FA Cup by Wolves

Dejected Liverpool players walk off after their 2-1 defeat to Championship strugglers Wolves

The Wolves players celebrate in front of their travelling support after Saturday's win

Klopp's Cup cast of 38 Goalkeepers: Adam Bogdan, Simon Mignolet, Loris Karius Defenders: Jose Enrique, Brad Smith, Tiago Ilori, Joe Maguire, Jon Flanagan, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Steven Caulker, Alberto Moreno, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ragnar Klavan, Connor Randall Midfielders: Joao Teixeira, Cameron Brannagan, Ryan Kent, Jerome Sinclair, Pedro Chirivella, Joe Allen, Jordon Ibe, James Milner, Lucas Leiva, Emre Can, Kevin Stewart, Sheyi Ojo, Ovie Ejaria, Ben Woodburn, Adam Lallana, Harry Wilson, Georginio Wijnaldum Forwards: Christian Benteke, Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho Advertisement

With Tuesday night's crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea at the forefront of his mind, the German made nine changes against the Championship strugglers and paid the price with a listless and disjointed performance.

But Klopp has always adopted a policy of wholesale changes for the FA Cup, fielding a remarkable 38 different players in the seven ties he has overseen as Liverpool manager.

This has included three goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 17 midfielders and five strikers.

It leaves Klopp open to accusations of disrespecting the traditions of the Cup, though it is part of a growing trend among the managers of Premier League, and even Championship, clubs.

Drawn against Exeter City in the third round last season, Klopp saw it as the perfect opportunity to field a youthful team amid a hectic fixture schedule and almost suffered the consequences, with Liverpool scraping a 2-2 draw.

A team with a similarly baby-faced complexion won the Anfield replay against the League Two side 3-0, but Klopp persisted with a policy of rotation for their fourth-round tie against West Ham.

Liverpool youngster Ovie Ejaria in action during Saturday's Anfield defeat to Wolves

Ben Woodburn challenges for the ball during Liverpool latest disappointing Cup outing

Defender Connor Randall closes down Andreas Weimann of Wolves during Saturday's game

The teams drew 0-0 before Klopp reintroduced a few of his first-team regulars for the replay, including Christian Benteke and Philippe Coutinho, only to lose it 2-1 after extra time.

This season, once again paired with League Two opposition in the form of Plymouth, Klopp put out a young team at Anfield and saw them toil in a goalless draw.

Restoring Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Lucas Leiva to the side for the replay at Home Park, Liverpool managed to squeeze through by a single goal.

But there was no such luck against Wolves on Saturday, as a second-string side struggled to create any meaningful opportunities until the very end, by which time they trailed 2-0 and were heading out.

It has once again taught Klopp the lesson to disrespect the FA Cup at your peril.