Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Player ratings as nervy Reds restore seven-point lead over Arsenal

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90min

·16 février 2025

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Player ratings as nervy Reds restore seven-point lead over Arsenal

Liverpool restored their seven-point advantage over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with a tense 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield.

The Reds, without the suspended Curtis Jones after a fractious end to the final Merseyside derby to ever be played at Goodison Park, had seen their lead cut by Arsenal on Saturday thanks to makeshift centre forward Mikel Merino's brace.

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Arne Slot was on the touchline for Liverpool as he awaits for confirmation of a likely two-game ban, and he'd have been pleased by the initial response of his players after Everton's James Tarkowski netted an 98th equaliser in midweek.

Diogo Jota had the first real chance of the game, firing a low volley wide of the target from Trent Alexander-Arnold's floated cross, before Luis Diaz did open the scoring on the quarter-hour mark. The Colombian was on hand to bundle the ball over the line with his chest after Mohamed Salah's bobbled pass somehow got through to Wolves' six-yard line.

Dominik Szoboszlai arrowed a low drive just wide of Jose Sa's far post before Jota was denied by the feet of the Portuguese goalkeeper. It didn't take long for Liverpool's second goal to arrive, though, courtesy of a penalty from Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian was gifted the opportunity to score his 23rd Premier League goal of the season following a misjudgment from Wolves centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou and an ill-timed dive at the feet of Diaz from Sa. Salah made no mistake, stroking his penalty down the middle as Sa flung himself down to his left.

Salah had a third Reds goal correctly ruled out for offside after the break before Wolves worked their way back into the game. Marshall Munetsi was denied by Alisson after bursting through on goal but there was nothing the Brazilian goalkeeper could do to stop Cunha's wonderful curled effort with just over 20 minutes to go.

Liverpool responded, bringing on Wataru Endo for Diaz, but they were under the cosh for most of the final 20 minutes plus stoppage-time as Wolves piled on the pressure - Jarell Quansah making an important block from Munetsi after more good work from Cunha.

In the end, Liverpool clung on for a hugely important win, while relegation-threatened Wolves will go away with their heads held high.