Liverpool reclaimed their position at the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought victory over Wolves at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Battling against strong winds, Arne Slot’s side secured a 2-1 win, with first-half goals from Luis Díaz and a Mohamed Salah penalty proving enough to hold off a second-half resurgence from the visitors. Matheus Cunha pulled one back for Wolves after the break, making for a tense finish, but Liverpool managed to see out the game and extend their lead over Arsenal to seven points. With tough away fixtures against Aston Villa and Manchester City looming, this victory provided a crucial boost in their title chase.
Alisson Becker had a relatively quiet first half, making a solid save to collect a deflected effort from range. However, his long-range distribution was inconsistent. After the break, he produced a crucial stop to deny Munetsi and remained composed despite Wolves’ growing pressure. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a defensively solid first-half performance but struggled with his passing at times, occasionally putting Liverpool in unnecessary danger. He was substituted in the second half as Liverpool sought more defensive stability.
Ibrahima Konaté had a challenging afternoon, nearly caught out by the wind in the first half but recovering well. He found himself in trouble after a collision with Cunha and was perhaps fortunate to avoid a second yellow card before being substituted. Virgil van Dijk also faced difficulties due to the conditions and took some unnecessary risks when playing out from the back. A lack of composure in key moments saw him pick up a booking. Andy Robertson contributed one dangerous cross for Jota but struggled with decision-making. He battled hard in the second half as Wolves increased the pressure and showed great determination to help see out the win.
Ryan Gravenberch started promisingly but struggled with his ball control at times, leading to unnecessary mistakes. He lost Cunha for Wolves’ goal and was found wanting defensively too often, making for an underwhelming performance. Alexis Mac Allister stood out as Liverpool’s most composed midfielder in the first half, showing great energy in both defensive and attacking transitions. However, like many of his teammates, his passing became erratic as the game progressed.
Mohamed Salah had a challenging start as he struggled to control difficult passes, but he gradually found his rhythm. He played a role in the opening goal, converted a composed penalty, and was Liverpool’s main attacking threat, though he often found himself isolated in the second half. Dominik Szoboszlai was one of the few Liverpool players who maintained his intensity throughout the game. He was energetic and technically sharp in the first half, sending one effort wide, and stood up to Wolves’ physical approach after the break.
Luis Díaz looked far more comfortable playing on the left and was instrumental in both goals. He was involved in the buildup to the opener, scored with a well-taken finish, and won the penalty that Salah converted. His influence waned after halftime, and he was eventually substituted. Diogo Jota missed an early volleyed chance but played a crucial role in Liverpool’s first goal with a brilliant turn on the halfway line. He had another shot blocked and was perhaps fortunate that an overturned penalty decision didn’t work against him.
In the second half, Liverpool’s defensive unit came under sustained pressure, with some players struggling to cope. Conor Bradley replaced Alexander-Arnold in the 64th minute and needed time to settle in, but his late interception prevented what could have been a Wolves equalizer. Darwin Núñez came on for Jota at the same time but was unable to make much of an impact, with Liverpool’s attack becoming increasingly isolated. Wataru Endo replaced Díaz in the 71st minute and attempted to impose himself on the game, though his biggest contribution was a series of fouls aimed at disrupting Wolves’ momentum.
Liverpool endured a difficult second half, with Wolves pushing hard for an equalizer, but the team’s resilience ensured they held on for the win. Slot’s side may not have delivered their most convincing performance, but securing three points in challenging conditions was all that mattered. With a tough run of fixtures ahead, this result keeps their title ambitions on track and ensures they remain in control at the summit of the Premier League.
