Liverpool returned to winning ways in the English Premier League today, overcoming a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers side with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Anfield.
The win, marked by goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, restored the Reds’ seven-point lead at the top of the table, shaking off the disappointment of a midweek draw against Everton and an earlier FA Cup exit.
The match began with Liverpool asserting early dominance, and their pressure paid off in the 11th minute when Luis Diaz opened the scoring.
The Colombian forward capitalized on a loose ball in the Wolves penalty area, bundling it home in a scrappy finish to give the hosts the lead. Liverpool continued to press, and their advantage doubled in the 38th minute after Diaz was fouled by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa in the box.
Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot, and Mohamed Salah stepped up to convert the penalty with clinical precision, sending Sa the wrong way for his league-leading 24th goal of the season.
Despite a comfortable first half, Liverpool faced a nervy second period as Wolves mounted a spirited comeback. The visitors pulled one back in the 67th minute through a stunning strike from Matheus Cunha, who deceived the Liverpool defense with a clever flick before bending an unstoppable effort past Alisson Becker into the far bottom corner. The goal injected life into Wolves’ challenge, and they pushed hard for an equalizer, with substitute Marshall Munetsi slicing a volley just wide.
Liverpool, however, held firm, with manager Arne Slot making tactical substitutions to stabilize the game. Conor Bradley replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 63rd minute, while Wataru Endo came on for Diaz in the 70th, helping to shore up the midfield. Despite late pressure from Wolves, including a dangerous free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Alisson and the Liverpool defense stood tall to secure the three points.
The victory marked Liverpool’s first win in three matches across all competitions, following their FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle and a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby. For Wolves, the defeat was a setback in their fight against relegation, leaving them in 17th place, just two points above the drop zone, despite recent wins in the league and FA Cup.
Post-match, Slot praised his team’s resilience, stating,
“We showed character today after a tough week. Wolves made it difficult, but we managed the game well in the end.” Meanwhile, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira expressed frustration but highlighted his team’s spirit, saying, “We showed we can compete, but small mistakes cost us. We must learn and move forward.”
Liverpool now turn their attention to a crucial midweek clash against Aston Villa, with an opportunity to extend their lead to 10 points. Wolves, meanwhile, face a challenging trip to Bournemouth next weekend as they seek to climb away from the relegation zone.