Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they battled past Wolves with a tense 2-1 victory at Anfield on Sunday. Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah were the key men, with the Colombian finally breaking his goal drought and the Egyptian adding yet another strike to his ever growing tally. However, the Reds had to dig deep to secure the win, as Wolves threatened to snatch a late equaliser.
Early Dominance and Diaz’s Breakthrough.
Coming off the back of a difficult week that saw them suffer an FA Cup exit at the hands of second tier Plymouth and a dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton, Arne Slot’s side needed a strong response. With Arsenal having won 2-0 against Leicester the previous day, the pressure was on Liverpool to reassert their dominance in the title race.
The hosts started brightly, pressing high and forcing Wolves into defensive errors. Their attacking intent paid off in the 15th minute when Luis Diaz found the breakthrough. A slick exchange saw Salah’s return pass take a deflection off Toti Gomes, with Diaz stumbling forward to chest the ball past Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa. The goal was far from a spectacular strike, but after a barren run of ten games without scoring, Diaz celebrated with relief as the ball barely trickled over the line.
Liverpool continued to push forward, with Dominik Szoboszlai coming close to doubling the lead with a powerful low drive that whistled past the post. Diogo Jota also had a chance, his fierce effort at the near post denied by Sa as the Wolves defence struggled to contain Liverpool’s fluid movement.
Salah’s Ice Cold Penalty and First Half Control.
The Reds’ dominance was rewarded again in the 37th minute. Wolves were incensed as they believed Emmanuel Agbadou had been pushed by Diaz before he broke into the box. However, the referee waved play on, and when Sa brought down Diaz inside the area, there was little doubt about the penalty decision. Salah stepped up and, with a confident flick, sent the ball down the middle to make it 2-0.
The goal marked Salah’s 28th strike of the season in all competitions and his seventh in the last six games, underlining his importance as he nears the final months of his contract. Liverpool looked in control heading into the break, and it seemed as if a routine victory was on the cards.
Wolves Fight Back and Liverpool Stumbles.
Wolves came out with renewed energy in the second half, determined to make a contest of it. They nearly pulled one back early after the restart when Jean Ricner Bellegarde sent debutant Marshall Munetsi through on goal, but Alisson Becker produced a superb one on one save to deny the midfielder.
Liverpool’s attack, meanwhile, lacked the fluidity they had in the first half. Salah thought he had his second of the match, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, Diogo Jota went to ground inside the box after an apparent foul from Agbadou, and referee Simon Hooper awarded a penalty. However, after checking the VAR monitor, he reversed his decision as replays showed Jota had dived.
Wolves took full advantage of Liverpool’s stuttering second half display, and in the 67th minute, Matheus Cunha found the net with a superb curling effort from 20 yards out. Ryan Gravenberch was guilty of selling himself too easily, allowing Cunha the space to pick his spot and fire past Alisson into the bottom corner.
With their lead cut in half, nerves started to creep into Liverpool’s play. Wolves sensed an opportunity and began to apply more pressure, forcing the Reds to defend deep.
Tense Finish and Defensive Resilience.
Arne Slot responded by making defensive substitutions, introducing Wataru Endo for Diaz to add more stability in midfield. Wolves continued to press, and they nearly snatched an equaliser when Munetsi found himself in space inside the area, but substitute Jarell Quansah made a crucial last-ditch block to keep Liverpool’s lead intact.
Despite their tired legs and disjointed second half performance, Liverpool held on, securing a vital three points. The final whistle was met with a mixture of relief and celebration at Anfield, as the Reds re established their seven point cushion at the top.
Key Takeaways.
Diaz Ends Goal Drought Luis Diaz’s perseverance finally paid off as he netted his first goal of 2025, which will be a confidence booster going forward.
Salah’s Consistency The Egyptian king delivered once again, proving why he remains indispensable to Liverpool’s title charge.
Defensive Concerns Despite an early two goal cushion, Liverpool’s inability to kill off the game led to a nervy ending, something Slot will need to address.
Alisson’s Brilliance The Brazilian goalkeeper made a key save to deny Munetsi early in the second half, preventing Wolves from gaining further momentum.
Title Race Heating Up With crucial away games against Aston Villa and Manchester City coming up, Liverpool must maintain their composure as they inch closer to a potential 20th English title.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool’s victory over Wolves was far from their best performance, but winning while not at their peak is the hallmark of a title winning side. They now face a critical stretch, with away trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City in the next ten days. If they can take maximum points from those fixtures, they will be within touching distance of lifting the Premier League trophy for the second time in four years.
As the season enters its final months, the pressure will only intensify. With Arsenal and Manchester City hot on their heels, every point is precious. For now, though, Liverpool fans can celebrate another step towards glory, even if it.
