Liverpool vs Wolves result: Five things we learned as Reds welcome back fans with resounding win
The hosts were in control from the start as supporters returned to Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool thrashed Wolves 4-0 in the Premier League on Sunday night to move level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table.
The home side took the lead midway through the first half when Conor Coady’s error was pounced upon by Mohamed Salah, who finished well, while Coady looked to have won a penalty just before the break - only for the referee to correctly overturn his initial decision after a pitchside monitor check.
After the break Liverpool remained dominant and Sadio Mane saw a fierce shot saved, but Gini Wijnaldum doubled the lead with a fine strike from range around the hour mark.
READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time
The Reds then strolled well clear with further goals from Joel Matip and a Nelson Semedo own goal to extend their unbeaten run in the league to seven games.
Here are five things we learned from the match at Anfield.
Fans back at Anfield
The word for Liverpool fans has been “wait”. They had to wait a long, long time to see their team crowned champions - 30 years in fact - and when it was on the verge of happening, they had to wait some more as the season was suspended due to the pandemic.
Then, they - like all fans in England - had to wait to see their team back out on the pitch, wait to see their teams play in the flesh as champions of England.
They still have to wait more for the big party, the title celebration, parade and display of the trophy in front of a full house, but this was a major step forward towards all of that.
A repertoire of songs serenading Firmino, Wijnaldum, Salah et al in turn was great to hear from the Kop after the recent stale and silent nights and a resounding win was precisly what those fans had hoped to see.
Front three reunited
Diogo Jota was the man Jurgen Klopp opted to leave on the bench out of the Reds’ attack, with the Portuguese forward having only recently joined from Sunday’s opponents.
It meant Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Salah were reunited after a few games of rotation and a rest for the Brazilian following indifferent form - and they quickly showed flashes of why they have been so feared for so long.
Firmino looked sharp and clever with his touch and movement throughout, Mane was a constant menace down the left and Salah’s runs infield caused problems on every counter-attack, while the link-up play between all three was typically excellent.
Only Salah ended up on the scoresheet, but all three played a big role
Wolves without Raul
Other than the pre-match warm-up t-shirts which his team-mates wore bearing his name, there was no sign of Raul Jimenez for Wolves and likely won’t be for a while after his fractured skull.
Without their striker, there was very little cutting edge or focal point to the attack for Nuno’s side, who lost out not only in build-up play but also on the second ball without the Mexican.
The balance of the team wasn’t quite there, even if there was a gulf in quality on the night between the teams, and the big job for Wolves now is to find the right combination in the final third to still find goals and points without their usual No. 9.
Returning faces
The bonuses for Liverpool came in a dual return off the bench, alleviating a little the injury crisis which has so hampered them of late.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played 20 minutes or so and, predictably, immediately found an assist. Naby Keita also came on for a late run-out, boosting the numbers available in midfield.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is close too, while Alisson Becker might only miss one more match.
Suddenly the squad looks a little deeper, the options to rotate present themselves more often and an already excellent team might just become more able to show their most devastating, all-action form more regularly.
Title chase
The Reds will have watched on as Chelsea moved top on Saturday, then Spurs did the same trick just an hour before the match at Anfield - while Man City’s recent form is ominously impressive, too.
With their Anfield record imperious, they wouldn’t have been overly concerned about defeat at any stage, but the need to consistently rack up three points on a regular basis is a never-ending pressure on the reigning champions.
It’s 65 Anfield league games without defeat now for the Reds - much of the squad has never lost a home game in the Premier League since joining - which is a club record that grows with every passing match.
Keeping in touch at the top is the measuring stick for now, and Liverpool achieved that with some ease this time.
This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments