Liverpool 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
A first-half strike from Sadio Mane was enough to tighten Liverpool’s grip on the league title race after a hard-fought battle with Wolves.
It was the last big game of the weekend and Premier League Liverpool vs Wolves lived up to expectations, full of drama and yet more VAR controversy. The win takes Liverpool 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand and, crucially, 17 clear of reigning champions Manchester City before the Blues played Sheffield United tonight.
Having watched his side stun City in a five-goal thriller, Nuno Espirito Santo rang the changes for this game, resting goal scorers Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez as part of four switches, and the refreshed line-up gave the Reds a tough examination. The pre-match Liverpool vs Wolves betting odds had the Reds at 1.28 to win, but it was by no means that easy.
Highlights of the game
Liverpool started as if they wanted to finish this game quickly and Mo Salah should have scored on four minutes. He began a move which led to Trent Alexander-Arnold pinging a cross right into the path of the unmarked Egyptian but with the goal at his mercy he blasted over.
Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Salah all had efforts denied by Rui Patricio, while Alexander-Arnold, who was highly impressive in Liverpool’s 0-4 destruction of Leicester City, was in fine form again, firing a brilliant cross into the danger area which the Wolves defence just managed to clear before Mane pounced.
Liverpool were ahead on 42 minutes when a long ball forward bounced off the shoulder of Adam Lallana into the path of Mane and the Senegalese striker stroked the ball home. Referee Anthony Taylor blew for handball but the decision was reviewed at Stockley Park, and moments later his decision was over-ruled and the goal stood.
We’ve seen many a VAR farce already this season and when Wolves thought they’d scored a first-half injury time equaliser we had another. After the Reds cleared a cross the ball was recycled to Jonny on the right wing and he pulled the ball back to Pedro Neto who fired low into the bottom left corner. Nuno celebrated but moments later he was booked for complaining at a VAR wait. And his misery was compounded when the goal was ruled out because Jonny’s hand was marginally offside in the build-up.
Take a look at the Liverpool vs Wolves highlights package, the decision didn’t make much sense to me! It was the fourth such VAR call of the weekend and fans are beginning to lose patience.
After a quieter start to the second half Nuno threw on substitutes Jimenez, Traore and Romain Saiss, and they all came close as Wolves tried to break down the Red wall of resistance, and Alisson was called on to make a strong save from Diogo Jota.
Key statistics
It was Liverpool’s 17th home win in a row and the 50th unbeaten at Anfield in the Premier League. The Reds have still only dropped two points in an incredible first half of the season.
But this game was far from easy. While the hosts had 63 per cent possession, the shot count was level at ten each, with Liverpool edging shots on target by three to two.
But in VAR terms it was Liverpool 2 Wolves 0!
What’s next?
Next up Wolves are away to relegation-threatened Watford on New Years Day, where Nigel Pearson’s Hornets will be full of confidence having just beaten fellow strugglers Aston Villa.
And then Nuno’s side has a big FA Cup tie to look forward to at home to Manchester United. Both teams have a decent chance in the oldest cup competition in the world, but their head coaches will be juggling their resources again in the hectic Christmas schedule.
The FA Cup tie of the round is at Anfield for the Merseyside cup derby. Everton are the visitors next Sunday and that will be a battle royal. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has begun his reign at Goodison Park with two wins and the Toffees fans will be relishing this game for the first time in quite a while.
The latest SBOBET odds have Liverpool second favourite for the Cup at 6.00 (behind Manchester City) with Everton at 26.00 as likely quarter-finalists if they make it past the Reds.
Before that Liverpool have a home game against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United who have surprised everybody this season and have given themselves a great chance to earn a second term at the top table.
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