An incredible victory for Liverpool against a dogged Wolves that took the Reds to the top of the table after the lunchtime game saw West Ham defeat leaders Chelsea 3-2.
Although not at their fluent best and competing against one of the tightest and most stingy defences in the Premier League this season, Liverpool created enough chances to win the game comfortably.
In the first half, Diogo Jota – returning to the club from which Liverpool bought him and trying too hard – missed a header from three yards out, connecting well but putting it past the post; while Trent Alexander Arnold got caught in two minds as he came onto a volley, half wanting to lob it to the back post for Sadio Mané, half thinking I should whack this into the back of the net – which he should’ve done – and ending up skying the ball over the bar.
The second half was more of the same. Liverpool pressing but not overwhelming Wolves, Adama Traore on the break posing the only threat for the home side on the occasional break, proving a handful for Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, who had more of a shaky game than usual.
Still, the chances did come for Liverpool and, again, it was Jota who was guilty of not taking what came his way. A mix up between Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa and centre-half Romain Saiss saw the ball break to the Portuguese striker and he calmly ran into the box, steadied himself on the six yard line then, inexplicably, with the entire goal gaping, blasted the ball into the midriff of Connor Coady, who had retreated to the goal-line.
Chances, not as good as Jota’s, also fell to Mané, Salah and Andy Robertson; but as injury time unfolded, a final chance came to Liverpool, after a sweeping cross field pass from Virgil van Dijk fell into the path of Salah.
The Egyptian darted for the byline, pulled the ball back into the six yard area where Divock Origi – on for Jordan Henderson – was waiting. The Belgian controlled the ball, swivelled and with his left foot blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Cue hysterical celebrations from the Liverpool bench. A 0-0 draw would’ve been a hugely disappointing result for Liverpool, not just because their performance deserved a victory, but because it would’ve meant Liverpool hadn’t taken advantage of Chelsea’s slip up in the title chase.
Next up for Liverpool is the completion of their Champions League group stages campaign. So far, the Reds, in the so-called group of death, have played five and won five and, even though we expect Jurgen Klopp will put out a weakened side away against Milan on Tuesday – with the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Neco Williams, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Origi sure to get starts – Liverpool will still expect to win.
Legs will be saved for the game next Saturday in the Premier League against Aston Villa, now managed by Liverpool’s greatest ever player and, probably, their next manager, Steven Gerrard.
Although not at their fluent best and competing against one of the tightest and most stingy defences in the Premier League this season, Liverpool created enough chances to win the game comfortably.
In the first half, Diogo Jota – returning to the club from which Liverpool bought him and trying too hard – missed a header from three yards out, connecting well but putting it past the post; while Trent Alexander Arnold got caught in two minds as he came onto a volley, half wanting to lob it to the back post for Sadio Mané, half thinking I should whack this into the back of the net – which he should’ve done – and ending up skying the ball over the bar.
The second half was more of the same. Liverpool pressing but not overwhelming Wolves, Adama Traore on the break posing the only threat for the home side on the occasional break, proving a handful for Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, who had more of a shaky game than usual.
Still, the chances did come for Liverpool and, again, it was Jota who was guilty of not taking what came his way. A mix up between Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa and centre-half Romain Saiss saw the ball break to the Portuguese striker and he calmly ran into the box, steadied himself on the six yard line then, inexplicably, with the entire goal gaping, blasted the ball into the midriff of Connor Coady, who had retreated to the goal-line.
Chances, not as good as Jota’s, also fell to Mané, Salah and Andy Robertson; but as injury time unfolded, a final chance came to Liverpool, after a sweeping cross field pass from Virgil van Dijk fell into the path of Salah.
The Egyptian darted for the byline, pulled the ball back into the six yard area where Divock Origi – on for Jordan Henderson – was waiting. The Belgian controlled the ball, swivelled and with his left foot blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Cue hysterical celebrations from the Liverpool bench. A 0-0 draw would’ve been a hugely disappointing result for Liverpool, not just because their performance deserved a victory, but because it would’ve meant Liverpool hadn’t taken advantage of Chelsea’s slip up in the title chase.
Next up for Liverpool is the completion of their Champions League group stages campaign. So far, the Reds, in the so-called group of death, have played five and won five and, even though we expect Jurgen Klopp will put out a weakened side away against Milan on Tuesday – with the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Neco Williams, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Origi sure to get starts – Liverpool will still expect to win.
Legs will be saved for the game next Saturday in the Premier League against Aston Villa, now managed by Liverpool’s greatest ever player and, probably, their next manager, Steven Gerrard.
