Arne Slot's side were forced to hold on in the second half at Anfield, but just about did enough to earn victory
Liverpool re-established their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured a nervy 2-1 win for the Reds over Wolves on Sunday.
The Reds took control early on as Diaz got on the end of Salah's deflected cross and managed to bundle the ball home with his stomach for his first goal of 2025. The Colombian then drew goalkeeper Jose Sa into a foul inside the penalty area, with Salah on hand to convert from the spot and open up a two-goal lead before half-time.
It looked likely to be a straightforward afternoon for Arne Slot's side at that point, but Wolves emerged with more attacking intent after the break, and after Alexis Mac Allister blocked a close-range effort from Matheus Cunha, Alisson Becker had to be on his toes to deny Marshall Munetsi.
At the other end, Salah had a goal ruled out for offside while VAR rescinded a penalty that Diogo Jota thought he had won, and eventually Liverpool were made to pay for not putting the game away as Cunha curled a 20-yard effort into the bottom corner.
The hosts struggled to create chances of their own in response, and substitute Jarell Quansah had to produce a superb block to keep Munetsi from scoring a late equaliser. In the end, however, there was to be no repeat of Wednesday's night's dramatic draw at Everton as the leaders held out for victory.
GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…
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Alisson Becker (7/10):
Superb one-on-one save denied Munetsi early in the second half and showed good handling throughout. Had no chance with Cunha's curled finish.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (4/10):
Passing was sloppy from kick-off while he struggled defensively when Ait-Nouri came forward. Looked rusty after a couple of weeks on the sidelines, and was replaced just past the hour mark.
Ibrahima Konate (5/10):
Snuffed out a couple of early attacks, but slightly fortunate to avoid a red card after two clumsy challenges resulted in just the solitary booking. Substituted at the break so as to avoid him being sent off.
Virgil van Dijk (8/10):
Seemed to be three steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch as he put in a dominant display. Cut out counter-attacks, blocked crosses and won plenty of duels around his penalty area.
Andrew Robertson (6/10):
Posed an attacking threat, as per, but still doesn't always convince defensively.
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Ryan Gravenberch (5/10):
A presence in midfield, but couldn't have his usual influence on proceedings. Sold himself too easily for Cunha's strike.
Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):
Played his part in both Liverpool goals with fine passes forward, and kept the hosts ticking over in possession. Also made a superb block to deny Cunha immediately after half-time.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
Worked tirelessly in midfield, but only showed glimpses of his quality when in possession.
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Mohamed Salah (7/10):
Got his goal from the penalty spot and played his part on laying on the opener, but a lot of what he tried didn't quite come off. Still ended up being the match-winner, though.
Diogo Jota (7/10):
Never gave his former club a moment's peace. Superb touch and turn led to the opening goal and went close on a couple of occasions. Disappointing dive to try and win a penalty the only mark against him.
Luis Diaz (8/10):
Looked far more comfortable coming off the left than he has centrally in recent weeks, and though his goal came with some fortune, he showed good energy to bundle the ball home. Also won the penalty before being sacrificed for Endo's solidity in the final 20 minutes.
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Jarell Quansah (7/10):
On at half-time and needed some time to get up to speed. Eventually found his bearings before a superb block denied Munetsi late on.
Conor Bradley (6/10):
Combined well with Salah down the right after replacing Alexander-Arnold.
Darwin Nunez (5/10):
Struggled to have much impact despite being given almost 30 minutes on the pitch.
Wataru Endo (6/10):
Did give away a couple of fouls in dangerous areas, but Wolves were far less threatening after he was introduced for the final 20 minutes.
Arne Slot (6/10):
Even if it was enforced by Gakpo's injury, moving Diaz out to the left certainly paid off. However, the way his team allowed Wolves to get back into the game will be a concern, even if his substitutions did eventually stem the tide somewhat.
