Liverpool and Wolves united in a moving tribute to Diogo Jota on the day Florian Wirtz finally scored the first goal of his slow-burning Anfield career. The lasting impression, however, was Liverpool’s relief at holding off a team that has endured more defeats in the first half of a season than any other in Premier League history.
“I’ve just said to the lads that I’m getting fed up with this,” said Rob Edwards, the Wolves manager. Edwards has been in charge for seven games, but deflation was understandable.
Wolves, two down at half-time, finished the contest on top and performed with more endeavour and adventure than many visitors to Anfield. But they left with only unwanted records.
An 18th game without a win from the start of a season means Wolves eclipse Sheffield United’s 17-match winless streak in 2020-21. They are also the first top flight team since Bolton in 1902-03 not to win any of their first 18 league games. Victory never appeared likely here, certainly not after Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz struck in quick succession in the first half, but a second-half transformation warranted greater reward. Liverpool had to fight to get over the line at on an increasingly tense afternoon.
“The last 10 minutes were much better than last week [at Tottenham] but that wasn’t too difficult,” said Arne Slot.
Jota’s two sons, Dinis and Duarte, and other young family members were mascots for the first meeting between the late striker’s two English clubs since his death in July. It was a lovely touch by Liverpool to involve the family so closely in proceedings though heartbreaking to see the children walk out alongside Virgil van Dijk with their mum, Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, watching on from the sidelines and their dad’s retired number 20 on their backs.
The Liverpool captain looked after the youngsters brilliantly throughout the warm-up. Wolves supporters sang their Jota song in the 18th minute and Liverpool fans followed suit with their customary tribute in the 20th.
Wolves acquitted themselves well with the 18-year-old forward Mateus Mané hugely impressive on his first start. Edwards pushed him to take a well-deserved bow in front of the away fans after the final whistle.
Wirtz was the most creative talent on display and crafted the first opening with a delightful ball through to Hugo Ekitiké. Wolves’ defenders closed down the in-form striker but he managed to clip a shot against the far post.
For 41 minutes José Sá was relatively untroubled in the Wolves goal. He did make a superb stop to turn an Alexis Mac Allister half volley against a post but Federico Chiesa, deputising for the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai, was offside in front of him. Anfield was getting restless, Wolves seemingly comfortable, when Liverpool carved open their opponents twice in two minutes.
Jeremie Frimpong made the breakthrough when collecting Chiesa’s lay-off and accelerating away from João Gomes and Hugo Bueno into the area. From the byline he pulled back a perfect assist for Gravenberch to stroke a measured finish inside Sá’s bottom left hand corner.
Liverpool doubled their advantage while Wolves were clearing their heads. Milos Kerkez regained possession and Ekitiké, having spun away from his marker, released Wirtz through a gaping hole in Wolves’ central defence. The Germany international beat the advancing Sá to the ball and poked home his first Liverpool goal in his 23rd appearance for the club. Every outfield Liverpool player made a point of swamping Wirtz as he celebrated finally breaking his duck.
That should have been the cue for Liverpool to coast to victory but Wolves never resigned themselves to a 16th league defeat of a desperate campaign. Santiago Bueno reduced the deficit after Tolu Arokodare met André’s corner with a towering header and Alisson blocked on his goalline. The Wolves defender made no mistake with the rebound from close range. Another set-piece malfunction from Liverpool.
The home side were vulnerable against Wolves’ positive, purposeful passing game too. One flowing move resulted in a free header for Arokodare but the unmarked forward steered his attempt over Alisson’s crossbar. Liverpool were also grateful to substitute Conor Bradley for a vital challenge on Jhon Arias when the Wolves sub looked to convert Jørgen Strand Larsen’s cross in the final moments.
