Written by Mark Strickland
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Liverpool: The Reds returned to the top of the embryonic Premier League table with Ibrahima Konate having an eventful evening.
The French central defender returned to the side after a midweek rest and scored his first league goal but was responsible for Wolves’ equaliser before Mohamed Salah spared his blushes with a penalty.
Liverpool’s hosts remain bottom after Nelson Semedo conceded the penalty – his fellow full-back Rayan Ait Nouri had earlier equalised having capitalised on some indecision between Konate and Alisson Becker.
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The first talking point came when Anthony Taylor booked Trent Alexander-Arnold for kicking the ball away in the seventh minute – referees continuing to show zero tolerance.
Card happy, Taylor then booked Diogo Jota for a foul, and first assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff and Wolves’ first team coach Shaun Derry for dissent.
Following a poor start, Andy Robertson fired a low cross and Dominik Szoboszlai somehow diverted the ball back towards Sam Johnstone. He should have scored with the goal at his mercy.
Moments later it was Jota delivering this time as he beat centre-forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, crossed left-footed and Konate headed low at Johnstone who could not stop it from going in.
Early in the second half, Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina played a blind ball to Salah who surprisingly missed the target right-footed with Johnstone out of position.
Albeit seemingly in control, after Robertson had topped Larsen’s run, but Konate and the returning Allison miscommunicated, Larsen intercepted, and Rayan Ait Nouri benefited to equalise.
Five minutes later, Semedo wrestled Jota to the ground as the Portuguese forward attempted to get on the end of a Trent Alexander Arnold cross and Salah sent Johnstone the wrong way to win it from the spot.
Arne Slot’s side were forced to hang on a little thereafter and some last-ditch Konate defending was required but ultimately it was an ugly win for The Reds who ended the night top of the Premier League.
WE HAVE EVERY ANGLE COVERED OF THE REDS’ HERE!
Player Ratings
XI: Alisson Becker 7, Trent Alexander-Arnold, 7 Ibrahima Konate 8, Virgil van Dijk 8, Andy Robertson 8, Ryan Gravenberch 9, Alexis Mac Allister 6, Dominik Szoboszlai 6, Mohamed Salah 7, Diogo Jota 7, Luis Diaz 7
Subs: Cody Gakpo 6, Curtis Jones 7, Joe Gomez 6.