Liverpool FC initially looked set for an unchallenged home victory before their opponents Wolverhampton improved. Luis Diaz became the match winner despite a few shaky final minutes.
As the leader of the Premier League and Champions League league phase, a lot had gone right for Liverpool FC so far, but recently things went really wrong for the first time this season. First, the Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup by struggling second division side Plymouth Argyle, then they only managed a draw in the Merseyside Derby. Then the Wolves came to Anfield.
However, they proved that their position in the table – 17th – was no fluke. Liverpool started off strongly, which Arne Slot’s team was able to withstand without too much trouble. Wolverhampton barely created any pressure, didn’t get a grip, and offered up a lot of space. Without any real urgency, it seemed only a matter of time before the home side took the lead.
Luis Diaz involved twice
Diogo Jota was allowed to start and went close in the 8th minute, but Luis Diaz was first to push the ball over the line with the help of the Wolves defense (15′ ). After further chances by Szoboszlai (26) and Diogo Jota (32), the Colombian was brought down in the penalty area by Sa – Salah converted the penalty (36).
It was only after the well-deserved 2-0 that the Wolves dared to push forward a little more, with goalgetter Cunha even creating danger from a free-kick (40). But all in all, this opponent made it very easy for Liverpool.
With the restart, Wolves showed a different face, and the goal was suddenly in the air. But Cunha failed to beat Mac Allister (46th) in the penalty area, and Munetsi failed to beat Alisson (50th) in a one-on-one situation. Something could have happened during this phase.
Cunha on his own – Liverpool falter alarmingly
A little later, the guests were even lucky that Salah was just offside before his supposed second goal (51st), before a second penalty was withdrawn. Diogo Jota had clearly dropped (59th). So twice not the preliminary decision.
So the Wolves lived on at Anfield, while it became increasingly quiet in the stands. Because Liverpool visibly slowed down, and the guests increasingly believed in themselves – especially after Cunha’s fine 20-meter shot to tie the game (67). In the final phase, anything was suddenly possible.
The Reds had lost all inspiration and their bite in defense. As a result, the visitors played almost all of the game, and would have deserved a 2-2 draw. Munetsi almost scored in the 88th minute, but Quansah’s tackle prevented a mistake by the league leaders, who were able to maintain their seven-point lead over Arsenal more through bad luck than good. Wolverhampton remain in the bottom half of the table.
