Florian Wirtz scored his first Premier League goal as Liverpool held on to beat Wolves 2-1 at a nervous Anfield.
Just moments after Ryan Gravenberch's breakthrough strike late in the first half, Wirtz raced through after being put in by Hugo Ekitike to poke the ball beyond Jose Sa and double Liverpool's advantage. There appeared to be no way back for Wolves from that.
But Santi Bueno forced the ball home early in the second half after Tolu Arokodare's shot had been parried by Alisson Becker and Anfield was nervous thereafter with Wolves pushing for an unlikely equaliser. Arokodare had two further opportunities.
Player ratings:
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Frimpong (6), Van Dijk (6), Konate (6), Kerkez (7), Gravenberch (7), Mac Allister (6), Jones (7), Chiesa (6), Wirtz (7), Ekitike (7).
Subs: Bradley (7), Gakpo (n/a), Nyoni (n/a).
Wolves: Sa (6), Doherty (6), Mosquera (6), S Bueno (7), Krejci (6), H Bueno (6), Andre (6), J Gomes (7), Hwang (6), Mane (7), Arokodare (7).
Subs: Moller Wolfe (6), Strand Larsen (6), Tchatchoua (6), Arias (n/a).
Player of the Match: Florian Wirtz.
It was unconvincing by Arne Slot's side against the Premier League's bottom club, despite Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister both striking the frame of the goal in the first half. They struggled to build the same momentum after the interval and were hanging on.
For all their battling qualities, Wolves remain winless after 18 Premier League games and are yet to pick up a point in seven under Edwards. Liverpool, on the other hand, are now unbeaten in six and found themselves inside the top four upon the final whistle.
Tributes to Jota
It was a poignant day at Anfield with this the first meeting between the two clubs that Diogo Jota represented in the Premier League, his children joining the mascots for the occasion. Wolves had paid tribute to Jota at his Anfield memorial the night before.
There was applause and chants from all corners of the ground before and during the game to mark the presence of Jota’s family at the game. At half-time, Jota’s favourite song – Fields of Gold by Sting – was played over the public address system in his honour.
Big moment for Wirtz
Few could have imagined that Wirtz would have to wait so long for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt but it finally came at the 23rd time of asking. There have been moments when some thought it had come, such as the deflected equaliser against Sunderland.
This was the sort of goal Wirtz had been expected to deliver, a product of his off-the-ball movement and technical ability. The partnership with Ekitike is certainly promising. Indeed, the forward was returning a favour from earlier in the game with his pass.
Team news:
Jeremie Frimpong made only his second Premier League start with Federico Chiesa also coming in for his first start of the season in the competition. Dominik Szoboszlai was unavailable through suspension.
Mateus Mane, 18 years old, made his first Premier League start for Wolves. Hugo Bueno and Tolu Arokodare came into Rob Edwards’ team with under fire Jorgen Strand Larsen dropped to the substitutes’ bench.
Liverpool supporters have seen enough to know that the Germany international has the quality to play and thrive at this football club, but the onus is still on Wirtz to show it. Anfield demands end product to go with the flicks and tricks, the sways and the skills.
A goal at home to the bottom club in the Premier League with his team already ahead is hardly seismic in its significance but if it proves the launch pad for more, a weight lifted from the shoulders, then this could yet prove a pivotal point in Wirtz's Liverpool career.
Story of the match in stats...
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