Postmortem: Liverpool Survive Wolves Scare and Takes Three Points

This was a game that had a banana peel attached to its pre-match program, especially after Newcastle beat Premier League title favorites Manchester City to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day. Luckily for the concerned fanbase, a handful of good performances meant the Reds were able to take all three points and end the weekend top of the table.

Liverpool triumph 1-2 at Wolves: #LFC Player ratings and game analysis

There wasn’t much improvement in the second half compared to the first, but after the terrible equalizer it showed that the team’s character was back in the lead.

✍️ @StevLFC

— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) September 28, 2024

Below you can see how the team was lined up. Details about the game follow.

LFC starting eleven

TK – Alisson Becker

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konate

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Diogo Jota

LF – Luis Diaz

Subs

Curtis Jones – Dominik Szoboszlai (73 mins)

Cody Gakpo – Luis Diaz (73 mins)

Joe Gomez – Andy Robertson (89 mins)

Goals (supported by)

Wolves 0 – 1 Liverpool

Ibrahima Konaté (Diogo Jota) – 45+2 mins

Wolves 1 – 1 Liverpool

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 56 mins

Wolves 1 – 2 Liverpool

Mohamed Salah (penalty) – 61 mins

Important game statistics

possession

Wolves 44% – 56% Liverpool

Total number of shots

Wolves 7 – 10 Liverpool

Crosses

Wolves 14 – 25 Liverpool

Corners

Wolves 2 – 10 Liverpool

Goalkeeper saves

Wolves 4 – 2 Liverpool

First half

The opening stages of this game were a doom and gloom display from the visiting team as Wolves ran harder and were more intent on scoring the first goal. Despite a risky desire to operate from the back, the Premier League’s 20th-placed team’s midfield and attacking efforts were evident from the start. Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté did their best to keep a clean sheet in the first half, while Arne Slot’s midfield and attack struggled to hold on.

After all, it was a simple ball into the penalty area (from Diogo Jota) and a superb header from Frenchman Ibrahima Konaté that scored the opening goal in first-half stoppage time, which dramatically changed the tone of the incoming team discussions. Liverpool were struggling and Wolves were probably feeling out of their depth, but the quality of the final ball and solid game preparation in the ten minutes beforehand ensured that the Premier League strugglers finally got back into form, which upset the hosts and drew them close at half-time A 0-0 deficit bought time.

Second half

No changes were made when the second half resumed, with Liverpool’s head coach sending out the same eleven players who struggled to overcome a side that has routinely struggled to find anything close to form this season. As the visitors settled into a more dominant and perhaps relaxed attitude, Mohamed Salah initially missed a golden opportunity to score into the open goal after the high pressing eventually created a chance for his side. Later, the Egyptian king failed to pass a simple through ball to the advancing Curtis Jones as a counter-attack into a free opponent’s half was not used.

Before this second opportunity, two goals were scored and the game was turned on its head at both ends of the pitch within five minutes. As Wolves pushed forward to equalize, Andy Robertson made a great attack on the edge of the Reds’ penalty area, which should have given his defensive teammate Ibou the ideal situation to clear the ball. It was his uncharacteristic indecision not to do anything of note that allowed a goal to be scored, while his relaxed style of play created the opportunity to level the score.

Luckily for the Premier League title challengers, Mohamed Salah skillfully scored from the penalty spot just minutes later after Diogo Jota was brought down in the penalty area. The momentum had changed and from that point on, although often lacking in brilliance, they were in control of a team that was unlikely to score a second goal themselves. Trent Alexander Arnold was sporadic on the ball, but his defensive line efforts were solid enough. Robbo was good, if not great, and for Ryan Gravenberch his ability to carry the ball and relieve pressure was crucial in the final thirty minutes. The subdued performances of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were evident as the rhythm in the engine stuttered more than purred. Luis Díaz couldn’t conjure up anything special, while Curtis Jones did very well in his minutes on the pitch.

Overall, the team performance was good enough to get three points, but the ability to overcome stubborn teams is still an issue in certain circumstances.

win ugly – #PostMatchRAW@downeytrev joins in @HendrickD82 & @karlmatchett to discuss the victory over the wolves

Listen now: pic.twitter.com/An7OUQYyBa

— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) September 28, 2024

Final thoughts

This was a game I wasn’t looking forward to as the opponent was always a beast looking to eventually make an impression, especially against Merseyside’s heavyweight opponents. A top spot in the table cannot be overlooked and allows them to fight for something, with a touch of breathing room between them and their two title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

Bologna is next, with another European evening under the lights of Anfield.

Steven Smith’s pre-match prediction:

Wolves 0 – 2 Liverpool