Liverpool suffered a 2-1 loss against Wolves and the performance of Ryan Gravenberch was a concern.
Arne Slot insisted Liverpool had not conceded from a real chance. Wolverhampton Wanderers will not care.
To suggest Andre Trindade was not afforded an opportunity, however, is wrong. The Wolves midfielder was invited to shoot from 20 yards after Liverpool once again became architects of their own downfall.
Given their vulnerability to late goals, there was little surprise when it happened again. It had already occurred six times in the Premier League this season. When the decisive moment arrived in the dying embers at Molineux, it felt familiar.
Curtis Jones played a loose pass back to Alisson Becker and the goalkeeper’s clearance lacked conviction. Wolves regained possession and Andre was allowed to drive forward unchecked. His strike was not clean, but he was given a sight of goal. A deflection off Joe Gomez left Alisson flat-footed and sent Molineux into raptures. Wolves secured a 2-1 triumph, which was only their third league win of the campaign.
It was no more than Andre deserved. Alongside Joao Gomes, he dominated the midfield battle that had appeared pivotal before kick-off. Wolves overran Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, winning the contest at its source.
Gravenberch endured a particularly difficult evening. Booked in the first half and substituted at the interval, he lost possession seven times and conceded four fouls. It was a change that felt inevitable.
There have been lingering doubts about Gravenberch’s suitability as a No.6. He excelled in the role last season during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign, but the deeper position continues to present challenges. By trade, he is not a holding midfielder. At Ajax and Bayern Munich he operated as a carrier, driving into advanced areas rather than shielding the defence. That instinct can leave space behind and disrupt balance alongside partners Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
With Wataru Endo sidelined by injury and having started only twice in the league under Slot, competition for Gravenberch’s position has been limited. Last term, he was playing on merit but this season, it feels because there is a dearth of options.
Andre, by contrast, produced a textbook defensive midfield display. He won seven of his 10 ground duels, made 10 recoveries and added two interceptions to his decisive goal.
There is an irony to his influence. Liverpool explored a move for the Brazilian in the summer of 2023 during Jurgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild, but Fluminense refused to sanction a sale as they chased Copa Libertadores glory. The Reds turned instead to Endo.
Watching Wolves field a natural destroyer served as a reminder of what Liverpool may still require. If relegation forces sales at Molineux this summer, Andre’s name should well be on the list of potential targets. If it is not the 24-year-old then a player of his ilk is paramount.
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