Always Wolves
Always Wolves
A day to remember Diogo Jota as Wolves visited Anfield for the first time since his passing earlier in the year.
On the pitch a spirited second half performance from Wolves but Liverpool’s 2-0 half time lead was too much to overcome. The game finishing 2-1 to the hosts.
The line ups:
WolvesXI
Sa, Doherty, Mosquera, S.Bueno, Krejci, H. Bueno, Andre, Gomes, Mane, Hwang, Arokodare.
Liverpool XI
Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kirkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Chiesa, Mac Alister, Wirtz, Ekitike
The First Half:
Wolves started the half brightly making Liverpool think immediately with two long throws back to back both leading to nothing. The game started slowly with the visitors creating the first meaningful chance as Mane’s strike at the near post was saved by Allison.
As the game entered the 18th and 20th minute respectively, very nice moments from all in Anfield paying respect to Diogo Jota with Wolves fans chanting and Liverpool fans applauding and visa versa two minutes later. Diogo always remembered on the day two of his children walked out with Liverpool Captain Van Dijk as mascots.
Liverpool gradually started to break down the Liverpool back line and created a couple of chances which hit the woodwork. Their first off the post as Ekitike found himself through behind Doherty and with a strike from the angle bouncing off the post. Within minutes Mac Allister found the ball fall to him and Jose Sa tipped his powerful effort onto the post.
Wolves had one more moment in the half where Tolu did well to fight off Konate play the ball off to Mane who ran from the half way line to fire the ball over just outside the box. The most positive take away for Wolves is the potential link up between Tolu and Mane.
The hosts opened the scoring on the 41st minute as Frimpong charged from outside the box to the byline to cut the ball back to Gravenberch who fired into the bottom corner from 10 yards out. Both Andre and Joao Gomes too far off the Liverpool midfielder who had time to pick his spot.
Two minutes later Liverpool broke with pace Ekitike in the middle of the park sliding the ball to Wirtz for one of Liverpool’s big summer signings to score their first goal for the reds. Both Santi Bueno and Krejci will want this one back as it was far too simple for the home side. 2-0 to Liverpool, game over and the first time under Rob Edward’s tenure Wolves enter the half time break behind.
The Second Half:
A great start to the second half from Wolves as Arokodare pushes the visitors up the pitch to win a corner from Van Djik. The corner whipped in Tolu gets up heads straight at Alisson only for the save to be pushed right into the path of anti Bueno to fire home his second goal of the campaign 2-1.
After the goal the first Liverpool opportunity was a clever corner routine from Liverpool. This almost caught Wolves out as Wirtz was found on the edge of the box with the freedom of Liverpool only to fire wide. Immediately after, substitutes were made by both sides with Tchatchoua, Wolfe and Larsen replacing Doherty, Hugo Bueno and Hwang. As Chiesa was withdrawn for Bradley.
The next portion of the game was stop start with lots of fouls and sloppy passing especially from the visitors. A good opportunity for Tolu came on the 77th minute as Joao Gomes won the ball deep in the Wolves half the side worked it well up the pitch to Tchatchoua to cross first time for Tolu to head over. The striker really needs to hit the target from this kind of opportunity.
Mosquera went down injured shortly after the Wolves opportunity and was replaced by Arias as Wolves changed to a back 4. Wolves continued to have a good spell of possession without creating many opportunities. Liverpool made further changes as Ekitike was withdrawn to be replaced by Gakpo.
As the game entered the 90th minute Arias was almost found five yards out only for Conor Bradley to put in a crucial tackle, good work by Strand Larsen to pull the ball back across. The game entered five minutes of added time for Wolves to continue to push forward without the ability to find an equaliser. A spirited second half performance but once again Wolves fall to defeat and remain on two points.
From my first Wolves match against Chelsea in 2003 I fell in love with the team and matchday experience. I work in digital marketing and have lived in Germany and Estonia over the past few years, this doesn’t stop me following Wolves and ensuring all my international friends become invested to the Wolf pack. I enjoy football, board games, a pint and travelling always excited to try new things. You will find me in the north bank on a matchday.
Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Jota Tribute, Early Double, Late Wolves Push