Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Wolves at Molineux.
Ibrahima Konate’s header was cancelled out by Rayan Ait-Nouri’s equaliser but Mohamed Salah’s penalty swiftly restored the lead for Arne Slot’s side and they saw it home to take advantage of Manchester City’s slip against Newcastle earlier in the day.
A fifth defeat in six means Gary O’Neil’s Wolves remain bottom of the table on one point despite their spirited efforts. But excitement will be building following a fifth win in six games for Liverpool under their new manager. It is the Reds leading the way now.
Wolves began brightly, surprisingly dominating possession in the early stages as they appeared to make good on Slot’s pre-match claim that they are a better team than their position suggests but as the first half wore on, the superior quality began to tell.
Dominik Szoboszlai was denied from point-blank range by Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone but Liverpool did not have to wait long for the opener – Diogo Jota, restored to the side with Darwin Nunez ill and up against his former club, crossing for Konate.
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Ibrahima Konate’s first Premier League goal gave Liverpool lead at Wolves
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Wolves found the equaliser against Liverpool through Rayan Ait-Nouri
Salah should have doubled Liverpool’s advantage early in the second half when he latched onto Mario Lemina’s loose pass only to fire wide with the goal gaping. It threatened to be costly when Ait-Nouri equalised on the break but parity was brief.
Nelson Semedo was caught the wrong side of Jota and the referee promptly pointed to the penalty spot, Salah taking the wind out of Wolves’ sails by converting coolly. The game remained in the balance but Liverpool took the points to move top. Wolves stay bottom.
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Mohamed Salah put Liverpool back in front in their 2-1 win over Wolves
Player of the match: Ryan Gravenberch
He might be the nominal holding midfielder in Liverpool’s line-up but that does not do justice to what Ryan Gravenberch has brought to the side so far this season. His powerful running adds a dynamism in that position, flourishing under Slot.
As well as making more tackles than any other Liverpool player, Gravenberch completed 92 per cent of his 62 passes. Rested completely for the midweek win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, his growing importance to this team is now obvious.
Patience needed at Wolves?
Wolves always knew this was a daunting start, facing five of last season’s top seven in their opening half a dozen games. The only other fixture was at Nottingham Forest where they picked up their solitary point so far. It is the context behind their poor form.
The home support still chanted O’Neil’s name during their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool under the lights at Molineux but some are restless, frustrated by the absence of a replacement for Max Kilman and feeling that the club is going in the wrong direction.
Key for O’Neil will be ensuring his players see it differently. Even in this run of one point from a potential 18, there have been signs of quality. Wolves’ hardworking midfield is impressive, while in Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha they have entertainers too.
If they stick together, more winnable game will come and they are far from cut adrift. If the negativity begins to take hold then it could go very differently. The problem for O’Neil is that it could get worse before it gets better. Next up at Molineux? Manchester City.
