Liverpool, temporarily at least, went to the top of the Premier League table after what was ultimately a comfortable 1-3 win in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite going behind in just the seventh minute at Molineux, the Reds rallied in the second half with three goals securing the Reds’ third win on the bounce.
Hwang Hee-Chan put the hosts ahead after Pedro Neto skipped past Joël Matip and cut the ball back to the Korean, who slid the ball through Andy Robertson’s legs and just over the line despite Alisson’s best efforts.
After a dismal showing in the first 45 minutes, this proved to be a classic case of “a game of two halves,” with Jürgen Klopp’s use of substitutes changing the balance of the game.
Cody Gakpo levelled the scores just ten minutes after the break, after which Liverpool took control and it was therefore only a matter of time before the Reds took the lead.
That said, it wasn’t until five minutes from the end that Robertson put the visitors ahead after a neat one-two with Mohamed Salah.
In stoppage time came the icing on the cake, when Harvey Elliott made it three with a deflected strike from the edge of the box.
Here are your player ratings…
Alisson – 6
Could do nothing about the goal and was largely a spectator throughout the game.
Sloppy to the extreme in the opening 15 minutes, Pedro Neto continued to run him ragged in the first half.
On the ball, in replicating Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inverted full-back position, Gomez was largely redundant and in the second half he seemed much more comfortable – albeit not fantastic – when the Reds switched to a flat, back four.
Joël Matip – 5
Seemingly frightened of giving away a penalty, Matip was bypassed far too easily by Neto in the buildup to the opener. He looks sluggish these days and seems to have lost his ability to carry the ball out of defence, too.
Jarell Quansah – 7
Looked like Liverpool’s most experienced centre-back on the day. Did enough to put Matheus Cunha off when he had a golden opportunity from just a couple of yards out.
Went off injured with seven minutes to go, which will be a concern.
Caught out slightly by Hwang Hee-Chan for the Wolves goal but was the only real shining light for the Reds in the first half, creating the side’s two best chances, crossing for Gakpo’s volley and again for José Sá’s spill which caused a goalmouth scramble.
The Scotsman looked much more at ease in his “normal” position in the second half, getting forward to good effect and ultimately resulting in his scoring the goal to put Liverpool ahead.
Alexis MacAllister – 4
His worst performance in a red shirt. The Argentinian looked massively off the pace, picking up an early yellow card. To make matters worse, he gave the ball away on the halfway line twice which almost led to two dangerous counters. It came as no surprise that he was taken off at half-time.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Had Liverpool’s best chance of the first half when his low effort was saved by Sá’s left foot. When pushed into a double pivot in the second half, he looked composed in possession and brought a calmness to the Liverpool midfield that had been lacking.
Especially in the second 45, alongside Szoboszlai in the engine room, Jones was a calming presence, keeping the ball ticking over and rarely surrendering possession.
Mohamed Salah – 9
Three more assists for the Reds’ talisman who, despite this, was fairly quiet overall. However, when it mattered, he was incredibly effective: his low cross for Gakpo meant the Dutchman couldn’t miss, his neat one-two put it on a plate for Robertson, and his cutback for Elliott was the icing on the cake in stoppage time.
Cody Gakpo – 7
The Dutchman spurned two good chances in the first half. For the first, he failed to make good contact with Robertson’s cutback on the volley; for the second, he headed Gomez’s deep cross over the bar. In both cases, he wasn’t helped by the deliveries.
Then, just after the break, he was presented with an opportunity he couldn’t miss, tapping home Salah’s low cross at the back post. That, however, proved to be his last involvement in the game.
Could have put Salah through on goal in the first half but misplaced his pass. The Portuguese’s link-up play was poor until just after the break, when his intricate pass to Salah ended up being the pre-assist for Gakpo’s goal. Like Gakpo, seconds later, Jota was replaced.
Substitutes:
Luis Díaz (Mac Allister, 46′) – 7
Brought on at the break and almost made an immediate impact, heading Robertson’s cross just wide. The Colombian brought the thrust and directness Liverpool had been lacking.
Darwin Núñez (Jota, 56′) – 6
Was denied a goal by Sá’s outstretched foot after a neat one-two with Díaz, but was largely quiet by his chaos-bringing standards.
Harvey Elliott (Gakpo, 56′) – 7
Gave the Reds much better balance and stability when he took up the right-wing role. Was slightly fortunate to get his goal (although it may be credited as a Hugo Bueno own goal), after his deflected shot spun in off the inside of the post.
Ibrahima Konaté (Quansah, 83′) – N/A
Had little to do when replaced the injured Quansah. Good to see him back, though.
Ryan Gravenberch (Salah, 90′) – N/A
The Dutchman came on for his debut in stoppage time and almost won a penalty after showcasing his excellent close control in the area.
