Liverpool vs Wolves: Star EXCELS to send Reds 7 points clear

Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners over Wolves in an at-time fiesty affair in the Premier League at Anfield this afternoon.

The result re-established the seven-point lead over Arsenal at the top that the Reds will be hoping can push them on to a 20th league title this season.

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The game itself was tetchy. Wolves dominated almost the entire second half and although head coach Arne Slot made as many substitutions as he could to try and change the game it became much more of a 'dig the trenches and hope' game.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring on 16th minute, bundling the ball home with his body with a much needed goal for himself.

Mo Salah (obviously) added a second from the penalty spot on the 38th minute after Diaz had done excellently to win the penalty all by himself.

The Liverpool-linked Matheus Cunha got one back for Wolves on the 68th minute with a delicious curled effort from 20 yards out but the Reds were able to just see the victory through whilst nails were chewed to their base.

Although a win is a win there were certainly some notable performances that could severely impact the rest of the season.

Winner - Luis Diaz

It's only right to start here. The Colombian winger has been under fire of late for his limp performances, with the loss in the FA Cup against Plymouth being perhaps his worst outing in a Liverpool shirt ever. But he excelled back in his left-wing position today, reading the play well to ensure he could bundle home the opener before shaking off his man and beating Jose Sa to the ball to win the penalty for Liverpool's second.

Exactly what was needed to drag him back into some sort of form.

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Loser - Ibrahima Konate

The Frenchman has been nothing but a rock at the back for the Reds this season. One of the best centre-backs in the world, along with partner Virgil van Dijk, little question has been asked of him. But amid discussion of his future at the club and interest from Real Madrid (who else?) and PSG, Konate decided today would be his worst display of the season.

His literal defending was okay enough, but his temperament was poor and resulted in a number of small fouls that lead to a yellow card half an hour in. After another tackle that could have led to a red card had the referee been in that mood, Konate was hooked for Jarell Quansah at half-time.

Winner - Mo Salah

Shock horror. If Liverpool have played a game of football then the winner will be Mo Salah. In the face of a shaky performance at times throughout this game, Salah was a constant outlet and is always, always able to be depended upon. It was his touch that forced the issue for Diaz's opening goal and there wasn't a doubter in the house when he stepped up from the penalty spot. His marginal offside denied him a second goal that would have been something special, cutting in from the right and smashing the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

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Loser - Diogo Jota

This might be a bit harsh given that Liverpool certainly looked a better prospect with Jota back in his natural position, but he was certainly overshadowed by both Luis Diaz and Mo Salah out there today. That doesn't have to be a bad thing but Jota had his chances and didn't take them.

This was then exacerbated by his best opportunity. Being threaded through by Ryan Gravenberch inside the box, Jota decided not to take the shot on with his left foot, cut back inside, and dive without Wolves centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou making any contact with him at all. The initial penalty decision was overturned and Jota was left with egg on his face.

Winner - Andy Robertson

In a game where a lot of Liverpool's veterans failed to establish any sort of control, Robertson relied on the entire extent of his experience to make sure that Wolves had little success down the left-hand side. He was constant in his energy, overlapping with whoever was occupying that side at that given moment, whilst being a composed presence on the ball too. He dropped into a back three in possession late in the game and allowed the Reds to see out the game. Necessary.

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Loser - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Back in the starting lineup, this was an opportunity for Alexander-Arnold to show Arne Slot what his side is seriously missing when he's not there. He almost managed it in attack - a gorgeous ball with the outside of his right foot sent Salah away and his goal thereafter was overturned for a marginal offside - but in defence he was shaky as he ever has been. Passes across the back line were loose and put Liverpool into difficult situations time and time again.

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