Liverpool didn’t throw away a lead this time, beating Wolves 2-1 on Sunday at Anfield to restore a seven-point lead atop the Premier League table.
Luis Diaz scored a goal and drew a penalty that Mohamed Salah converted for his Premier League-leading 24th goal of the season, as the Reds became the first team this season to reach the 60-point mark.
WATCH – Liverpool v Wolves full match replay
Matheus Cunha’s second-half goal made for a tense ending, but Wolves could not beat Alisson Becker a second time and the visitors remain two points above the bottom three.
Vitor Pereira’s men are in 17th place with 19 points.
Liverpool make their own breaks and get a big one, too
Liverpool’s 2-0 first-half lead was well-earned, as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah harried the Wolves midfielders and back line. But sometimes breaks help determine a title race, and Liverpool can feel pretty fortunate as Ibrahima Konate should’ve been sent off late in the first half and only one of Diogo Jota’s two clever dives to win penalties was overturned by VAR. Already on a yellow card, Konate left his feet and body checked a defenseless Matheus Cunha who had already headed a ball outside the Liverpool 18. Match referee Simon Hooper whistled for a foul but somehow the yellow card he drew was shown to Wolves’ center back Emmanuel Agbadou for a loud protestation. Letter of the law it’s hard to argue that Konate deserved to stay on, and Arne Slot subbed the center back off at the break. There’s no guarantee that Wolves would’ve scored two or three goals instead of the one they got playing 11v11 for the final 45 minutes, but these three points feel a lot better than what might’ve come off a second-consecutive blown lead and Premier League draw.
Liverpool vs Wolves player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Liverpool have little time to rest, heading to Aston Villa on Wednesday in a match brought forward due to the Reds’ berth in the League Cup final. Slot’s men then go to Man City at 11:30am Sunday.
Wolves’ next match is away to Bournemouth at 10am ET Saturday
How to watch Liverpool vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (February 16)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Liverpool vs Wolves final score: 2-1
Luis Diaz 15', Mohamed Salah pen 37', Matheus Cunha 67'
Liverpool vs Wolves live updates — By Nick Mendola
Matheus Cunha goal! Liverpool 2-1 Wolves (67th minute)
This is some goal, and Wolves are back in this!
Nelson Semedo gets the ball to Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who sweeps the ball behind his leg to Cunha.
The Wolves star forward drops his shoulder and moves the ball to his left foot, curling a ball around the helpless Alisson Becker.
Liverpool penalty overturned for Jota dive
Diogo Jota’s been awarded a penalty but it’s almost certainly a dive from the Portuguese.
Simon Hooper is being sent to the pitch side monitor by the VAR team, where he sees Jota kick his leg into the sliding Emmanuel Agabdou.
Alisson stops breakaway, requires treatment
A clever flick from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde sees Munetsi with a half-breakaway.
The Zimbabwe international finds his way behind the Liverpool back line and gets a shot away but Alisson is wise and keeps the score 2-0 to the Reds.
Alisson’s asked for treatment after the save, and trainers are wrapping the shin/ankle/calf area of his right leg.
2-0, 54'.
Subs
Konate won’t be at further risk of a second yellow, at least on the pitch, as he’s being removed for Jarell Quansah.
Wolves make a halftime sub, too, as longtime Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi makes his Premier League debut in place of Pablo Sarabia.
Halftime — Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
It’s been pretty comfortable for the hosts aside from a near-miss on a Matheus Cunha free kick. Otherwise, Wolves’ rare chances are from distance and well off the mark.
Well, there’s one other note. Ibrahima Konate was on a yellow when he flattened a vulnerable Cunha and dodged what could’ve been a second yellow before halftime.
Luis Diaz has a goal and created the penalty that Mohamed Salah converted for a league-best 24th goal this Premier League season. The single-season record is again under threat.
Shot attempts are 10-5 for the Anfield set.
Liverpool penalty! Mohamed Salah goal — Liverpool 2-0 Wolves (37th minute)
Diaz gets into the 18 and referee Simon Hooper says that Jose Sa has missed the ball before getting a piece of the Colombian’s dragged leg.
VAR confirms, and Mohamed Salah’s clinical penalty doubles the Reds’ advantage.
Luis Diaz goal — Liverpool 1-0 Wolves (15th minute)
Virgil van Dijk starts a rush and Luis Diaz gets it on the left wing.
The Colombian sends an arrow of a cross to Mohamed Salah, whose first-touch pass is redirected by the Wolves back line.
Luis Diaz never stopped tracking the ball and his chest touch gets the ball bounding by an onrushing Jose Sa.
It’s the ninth Premier League goal for Jota this season.
Jota volleys wide
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross is headed away from goal by Rayan Ait-Nouri, falling to Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese volleys a low effort that bounds wide of the far post.
A chance he’ll often finish. 0-0, 8'.
Front foot? The hosts
Mo Salah wins a corner after 15 seconds, as Liverpool start in a determined way following the midweek letdown at Everton.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Salah, Jota
Wolves lineup
Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Agbadou, T. Gomes, Ait-Nouri, J. Gomes, Andre, Sarabia, Guedes, Cunha
Liverpool vs Wolves preview — By Joe Prince-Wright
The past week has been one to forget for Arne Slot’s side, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Plymouth Argyle (23rd place) on Sunday and then the Reds gave up a 98th-minute equalizer in the final Merseyside derby ever to be played at Goodison Park on Wednesday. So, that’s the quadruple gone and only a seven-point lead atop the PL table heading into the weekend. Slot is expected to be on the touchline for Sunday’s game despite the fact he was sent off after the derby draw, as the FA does its due diligence on the matter. On the bright side, Liverpool are unbeaten in 20 league games (14W-6D-0L) since their only defeat of the season back in September; they have scored seven more goals (58) than anyone else (Arsenal); and their defensive record is second-best by a single goal (also Arsenal).
Speaking of the past week, not so bad for Wolves. Vitor Pereira’s side snapped a four-game losing streak (and climbed out of the relegation zone) last time out in the league and advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup last weekend. Star forward Matheus Cunha (11 PL goals) remains bullish on Wolves’ chances after signing a new contract after the January transfer window closed. “I used my heart to make this decision, more than anything. It was my passion. I love being here. Everyone wants something more for their career, but I feel this is the moment to keep fighting and show everyone what we have, and what love I want to give back.” However, Cunha’s new contract has a reported $77-million release clause which becomes active this summer.
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Joe Gomez (thigh - MORE), Curtis Jones (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring)
Wolves team news, focus
OUT: Hee-chan Hwang (thigh), Jorgen Strand Larsen (thigh), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Leon Chiwone (knee - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Boubacar Traore (illness)
Liverpool vs Wolves prediction
This game will tell us a lot about this Liverpool team and how worthy they are of the title. I’m betting we learn nothing but good things. Liverpool 2-0 Wolves.
