LIVERPOOL 2-1 WOLVES: First-half goals in quick succession from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz see Arne Slot's side home against the Premier League's bottom side
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates
Florian Wirtz finally netted his first Liverpool goal(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz finally netted his first goal for Liverpool as they withstood late pressure to overcome the Premier League's bottom side. It was far from Champagne football from the home side, but they just about got the job done against Wolves to move fourth in the table.
Liverpool struck the post twice through Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister before they opened the scoring. Jeremie Frimpong got to the byline with a burst of pace and cut the ball back for Ryan Gravenberch to curl into the bottom corner at the near post.
It was 2-0 around 90 seconds later as Ekitike found space and slipped Wirtz in and the German toe-poked in his first Liverpool goal one-on-one with goalkeeper Jose Sa. The game appeared to be done and dusted, only for Wolves to half the deficit from a corner.
Tolu Arokodare climbed above the stationary Ibrahima Konate and Alisson could only push his header out to Santiago Bueno, who netted Wolves' 10th league goal of the season on the rebound. Arokodare headed a good chance over the bar and Conor Bradley was forced into a goal-saving tackle as Wolves pushed for an equaliser.
Wolves could not find another goal and Liverpool held on to move past Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League table ahead of the Blues facing Aston Villa in Saturday's late kick-off. Here are the talking points from Anfield.
1. Touching Jota tributes
It was always going to be an emotional occasion at Anfield, with Liverpool and Wolves meeting for the first time since the tragic death of Diogo Jota, and so it proved. Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso, was in the stands, while their two children came out as mascots with Virgil van Dijk.
An extra-special rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone was sung before kick-off and, in the 20th minute, Jota's trademark song was belted out around the stadium, with extra poignancy. Liverpool have dealt fantastically with the unthinkable situation - and this was another example of their class.
Diogo Jota's children as mascots
Diogo Jota's children were mascots at Anfield and walked out with Virgil van Dijk
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2. Wirtz off the mark
It has been a long time coming for Florian Wirtz. Rightly or wrongly, the German playmaker was always going to be judged by his price tag and a sluggish start in a new - and more physical - league seemed to have affected his confidence. But there have been plenty of signs recently that Wirtz is beginning to settle.
The way he took his first Liverpool goal in his 23rd appearance showed the player the club paid all that money for. Having switched positions with Ekitike and drifted into the centre-forward position, he gathered in the pass and poked it past the onrushing Sa. He beat his chest and jumped high into the sky to celebrate, a weight lifted off his shoulders.
Florian Wirtz celebrates
Florian Wirtz was overjoyed when he scored his first Liverpool goal
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3. Weakness exploited
Wolves were handed a way back into the match from a corner. Arokodare easily beat Konate in the air, with the French defender then attempting to claim that he was fouled. Alisson did his best, but the rebound dropped perfectly for Bueno.
Unlucky? Or a sign of something bigger? As noted by Josh Williams on X, Liverpool have now scored three and conceded 12 from set-pieces this season, which is the worst goal difference of its kind in the Premier League. With towering centre-backs of Van Dijk and Konate's ability, that is surprising - and concerning for Arne Slot.
Santiago Bueno
Santiago Bueno made it 2-1 from a corner
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4. Open auditions
With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and some uncertainty still surrounding his future at the club, there is a place in the side available. Slot started with Federico Chiesa on the right wing, with the Italian given a rare chance to impress from the off. He didn't really take it, and what was worse, he was outshone by someone else.
Having recently returned from injury, Frimpong began the match at right-back but still managed to create the opening goal with his industrious work and pace getting him to the byline to tee up Gravenberch. Once Chiesa had been replaced by Conor Bradley, that allowed the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man free roam on the wing and he earned plenty of applause for his efforts.
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong was industrious down the right flank for Liverpool
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5. Encouragement for Wolves
In terms of avoiding relegation, it looks like it's already too late. But it terms of avoiding the worst record in Premier League history, it certainly isn't. And on this evidence, Wolves could - and probably should - avoid going down in the annals of history as the top flight's worst ever side.
Southampton last season and the famous Derby County vintage will be hoping it's not the case, but there were signs of life for Rob Edwards' side, with Arokodare looking dangerous up front and the team pushing forward with genuine belief they could get an equaliser. It didn't happen, but this is a performance to build upon for the league's bottom side, who still have just two measly points.
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