Liverpool v Wolverhampton | Premier League | Match Highlights

Liverpool held on to earn a vital 2-1 win against Wolves at Anfield, but it was far from a straightforward victory as Vitor Pereira’s side put in an inspired performance, particularly in the second half, pushing Arne Slot’s men to their limits. The win, however, was crucial for Liverpool’s title ambitions, as it restored their seven-point advantage over Arsenal in the tightly contested Premier League race. Although they started brightly and appeared to be in full control by halftime, their inability to maintain dominance after the break resulted in an extremely tense and nervy ending to the match.

The Reds got off to the perfect start, taking the lead in just the 15th minute. Luis Díaz, who had been experiencing a difficult run of form in front of goal, finally ended his goal drought with a scrappy but vital finish. The Colombian winger found space down the left flank, showing his trademark speed and trickery to drive forward before cutting inside. As he tried to pick out a teammate in the box, his pass found Mohamed Salah, who attempted to return the favor. However, a deflection off Toti Gomes redirected the ball right back into Díaz’s path, and he bundled it over the line from close range. It wasn’t the cleanest of finishes, but it was enough to break his long-standing run of ten games without a goal, much to the relief of both himself and the Anfield faithful.

Liverpool continued to push forward and were rewarded again in the 37th minute when Díaz was brought down inside the penalty area by Wolves’ goalkeeper José Sá. The Portuguese shot-stopper had come out aggressively to close down the winger but mistimed his challenge, clipping Díaz’s legs and leaving referee Simon Hooper with little choice but to award a penalty. Up stepped Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talisman and top scorer, who coolly dispatched his spot-kick straight down the middle, sending Sá the wrong way. It was Salah’s 23rd Premier League goal of the season, underlining his importance to Liverpool’s title challenge and giving them what seemed to be a comfortable lead going into halftime.

Despite Liverpool’s commanding position at the break, Wolves came out with renewed energy and purpose in the second half, determined to claw their way back into the game. Pereira made a crucial tactical adjustment by introducing Marshall Munetsi, whose presence in midfield gave Wolves an extra edge. Within five minutes of the restart, Munetsi nearly made an instant impact when he was played through on goal, only to be denied by an excellent save from Alisson Becker. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who has been a vital last line of defense for Liverpool throughout the season, once again demonstrated his shot-stopping ability with a reflex save that kept Wolves at bay.

Liverpool thought they had extended their lead moments later when Salah finished off a wonderful solo run with a brilliant strike, but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. It was a frustrating moment for the Reds, who had started the second half with an apparent intent to kill off the game early. Their frustration grew when they were denied another penalty following a controversial VAR check. Initially, referee Simon Hooper had pointed to the spot after Diogo Jota went down in the box under pressure from Emmanuel Agbadou. However, after reviewing the footage, the officials determined that Jota had initiated the contact, leading to the decision being overturned.

Wolves sensed an opportunity and continued to press forward, growing in confidence with each passing minute. Liverpool, on the other hand, began to look increasingly disjointed, struggling to retain possession and inviting unnecessary pressure upon themselves. Just after the hour mark, a lapse in concentration almost cost them dearly when an attempt to play out from the back led to João Gomes being presented with a golden chance. However, the Wolves midfielder failed to keep his composure, sending his effort well over the bar, much to the relief of the Liverpool defense.

Pereira’s men were now in complete control, and their relentless attacking play finally bore fruit in the 67th minute. Matheus Cunha, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, picked up the ball on the edge of the area, skillfully dragging it onto his left foot before curling a sublime shot past Alisson into the far corner. It was a goal of real quality, and it gave Wolves renewed belief that they could salvage something from the match. The home crowd, which had been in fine voice earlier, was suddenly silenced as anxiety crept into the stands.

As Wolves continued to pile forward, Liverpool found themselves pinned back inside their own half, unable to muster any sort of meaningful response. The statistics told the story of the second half—Wolves attempted ten shots after the break, while Liverpool astonishingly failed to register a single attempt on goal. It was a historic anomaly, as it marked the first time on record since the 2003-04 season that Liverpool had failed to attempt a shot in the second half of a Premier League game at Anfield. Moreover, it was the first time they had gone an entire half of football without recording a shot in a home league match. These staggering numbers illustrated just how dominant Wolves had been, making Liverpool’s eventual victory all the more fortunate.

The tension inside Anfield was palpable as the clock ticked down. Wolves threw everything at their opponents, sending cross after cross into the box in search of an equalizer. Liverpool’s defenders were under relentless pressure, with young Jarell Quansah making a crucial clearance at the back post in the dying moments to prevent what would have been a certain goal. Every tackle, block, and interception was met with desperate cheers from the home crowd, who were fully aware of how much was at stake.

In the end, Liverpool somehow managed to hold on, with the final whistle met by a mix of relief and jubilation. Unlike their collapse against Everton just days earlier, they had weathered the storm and secured the three points. While the second-half performance left much to be desired, the result was ultimately what mattered most in their pursuit of the Premier League title. It was a stark reminder that, even for a team of Liverpool’s caliber, no victory comes easy in the Premier League, especially against a well-drilled and determined side like Wolves.

As the dust settled on a dramatic encounter, questions remained over Liverpool’s inability to maintain control for the full 90 minutes. Arne Slot will no doubt have concerns over his side’s second-half capitulation and will need to address those issues ahead of their upcoming fixtures. With the title race heating up, performances like this one may not be sustainable in the long run. However, for now, Liverpool can take solace in the fact that they emerged victorious, even if it was by the skin of their teeth. For Wolves, it was a valiant effort that showcased their resilience and quality, and although they left Anfield empty-handed, they could take plenty of positives from their display.

In the grand scheme of the title race, this win could prove pivotal for Liverpool. With Arsenal breathing down their necks, every point is crucial, and grinding out results in difficult circumstances is often what separates champions from the rest. Slot’s men will need to learn from their struggles in this game and ensure they do not find themselves in a similar position in the weeks to come. As they march on towards their title ambitions, one thing is clear—there is still plenty of work to be done.