By Priya Kaur
The Wanderers hosted the Reds at Molineux, with a strong opening half, but Liverpool looked back to their never-say-die ways and ultimately, were just too relentless!
Report
With Trent Alexander-Arnold out, Joe Gomez started as Liverpool’s right back, instantly making an impression by clearing an early chance from Rayan Ait-Nouri. The opening minutes were all Wolves and with Jeanricner Bellgarde eager to make an impression on his debut, he drove past Joel Matip, creating an opening chance – all too easy it seemed.
Confidence was oozing out of Pedro Neto as he was popping up in all areas of the pitch and challenged Gomez to win a corner. An inswinger was fired into the box, but the little flick was caught well by Alisson.
Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was back doing hs defensive work to thwart yet another chance for the hosts and quickly delivered it to Curtis Jones who opened up passing lanes, finding Mohamed Salah who was denied by Jose Sa – a first look at Jurgen Klopp’s side from an attacking sense.
A harsh yellow was awarded to Alexis Mac Allister following a foul on Matheus Cunha. Seeing that Liverpool feeling the pressure, skipper for the day Andy Robertson urged his side to calm down and regroup, but Neto was too hot to handle as he dominated Gomez completing stepovers and finding Hwang Hee-Chan who made it 1-0 to the Old Gold – richly deserved at this time.
The Wolves players were filled with energy and powerful runs were being made by Nelson Semedo, who was unlucky to be denied. Sublime passes were made in and around Liverpool’s box allowing the home side’s fans to get behind their team.
Despite a half chance by Diogo Jota and a run by Liverpool’s Scotsman Robertson, The Reds were quiet, allowing Wolves to win set-pieces and dominate much of the action. Meanwhile, Neto was spectacular, exposing Liverpool.
Approaching 20 minutes, Klopp’s side lacked rhythm as an attacking team, desperately trying to find Salah, but a combination of Mario Lemina, Neto and Ait-Nouri all surrounded the Egyptian King.
Finally, in first-half stoppage time, the visitors had a glimmer of momentum as Salah scrambled in an attempt to find an equaliser, but it only bought the counter from Cunha. Overall, a sloppy start from Liverpool with no intent to drive in between the lines and Wolves taking full advantage.
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The second half was underway and Mac Allister, who was on a yellow and looked a little jaded following a busy week of travel, made way for Luis Diaz as Klopp added more attacking weapons.
It worked, Liverpool were growing in momentum and it was absolutely brilliant play from Szoboszlai, passing to Robertson who found Diaz, but caught in the hands of Sa.
The Reds looked almost to adopt a 4-4-2 with Jota and Gakpo slightly deeper, and for the first time in the encounter, Wolves were the team pushed back.
It was only a matter of time before Salah found his feet and assisted Gakpo who made it 1-1, life well and truly back in the visitors following what was a dreadful first 45!
Not resting on laurels Klopp decided it was time for a tactical change, goalscorer Gakpo and Jota made way for young Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
With the fresh legs, came fresh challenges as the purposeful Robertson was pushing the struggling Dawson forward. Gary O’Neil needed to make changes as Matt Doherty and Fabio Silva came on for Cunha and goalscorer Hwang.
Liverpool were piling on the pressure now and held 71% possession, but Wolves had a rare chance of attack, denied by Alisson. Jarell Quansah went down and Klopp was fuming on the sidelines, as Micheal Oliver didn’t stop play, resulting in the academy player going down again.
Diaz was electric, determined to get involved in finding the Egyptian King who bagged another assist and it was none other than passionate captain Robbo who smashed the ball home.
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The travelling Kop grew louder and louder with Allez Allez Allez being rung around the stadium. The hosts were not giving up but Elliott’s outstanding strike, albeit via a deflection, was all the game needed to be put to bed. The young midfield ran into the wild, passion-filled away end adding many more minutes onto the clock and a yellow card to his name!
There were eight minutes of added time, and despite a yellow for Jones for his part in the celebrations, Klopp’s side appeared to ease the pressure. Salah, now with two more assists added to the tally, came off for new signing Ryan Gravenberch late on.
The full-time whistle blew and captain Robertson was awarded with the player of the match award on his 200th Premier League appearance.
Ratings
XI: Alisson 7, Joe Gomez 6, Joel Matip 5, Jarell Quansah 7, Andy Robertson 8, Alexis Mac Allister 5, Dominik Szoboszlai 7, Curtis Jones 6, Mohamed Salah 7, Diogo Jota 5, Cody Gakpo 6
Subs: Luis Diaz 7, Harvey Elliott 7, Darwin Nunez 7, Ibrahima Konate 6, Ryan Gravenberch NA
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