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Liverpool extend their unbeaten run in the league with a 2-0 win over Wolves courtesy goals from Salah and Van Dijk. In a tricky fixture, The Reds came through with flying colours with an organized display away from home against a side who have taken points off Chelsea and Manchester City.
Wolves started the game on a positive note as they looked to hurt Liverpool with their own version of the counter press. The home side defended in numbers and thwarted the advances of Liverpool's front three during the early stages of the first half. In spite of a positive start, the hosts found themselves behind in the 18th minute after Fabinho's cross was flicked in by Mo Salah.
The second half saw Wolves chase the game which resulted in Liverpool finding numerous opportunities to hit their opponents on the counter. Liverpool put the game to bed in the 68th minute after Virgil Van Dijk tapped in Salah's cross past a rooted Patricio. Wolves could have set up a frantic finish towards the end, but failed to pull one back after Morgan Gibbs-White failed to hit the target from close range.
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On that note, let us take a look at the five talking points from Friday night's fixture at Molineux.
#5 Liverpool overcome a difficult opposition with a methodical display
There has been a massive difference in Liverpool's approach to games this season. It's not all gung-ho for Jurgen Klopp's men as they tackle their problems with more authority than they did before.
Liverpool showed their maturity and caught Wolves off guard in the 18th minute after Fabinho assisted Salah for his 11th goal of the season. The visitors defended valiantly and marshalled the likes of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore to great effect. They were also aided by their midfield who blocked off all passing channels to prevent the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho from dictating the game.
As Wolves searched for the equalizer, Liverpool found a number of opportunities to score on the counter but failed to add more goals due to poor decision making in the final third and some smart saves from Rui Patricio. The second goal from Virgil Van Dijk in the 68th minute secured all three points for Liverpool, leaving Wolves with no chance of clawing their way back in the game.
Such balanced performances will help The Reds break down teams that defend with numbers behind the ball. Liverpool punished an unattentive Wolves rearguard on two occasions and came out of this tricky fixture with flying colours i.e. three points.
#4 Wolves hit with a double whammy after failing to convert their chances
Last night's encounter saw Wolves rue their missed chances after goals from Salah and Van Dijk condemn the newly promoted side to their seventh loss of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side started the game on a bright note as they prevented Liverpool from playing their attacking brand of football in the initial stages of the first half. The likes of Romain Saiss and Ruben Neves made some crucial interceptions in the middle of the part.
The defence did a good job to prevent Liverpool's front three from wreaking havoc and also displayed some impressive positional awareness. Wolves had a few chances to open the scoring through Adama Traore, who dragged his attempts wide off the mark.
Liverpool's right side of the defence was vulnerable as Traore and Doherty got the better of Milner and Lovren on a couple of occasions.
In spite of showing glimpses of their quality, Wolves learnt a harsh lesson due to poor finishing and lack of composure while in possession from the likes of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore.
#3 Virgil Van Dijk puts in another colossal display at the heart of Liverpool's defence
Virgil Van Dijk was at the forefront of an assured performance from the Reds away from home. Klopp persisted with the defensive pairing of Van Dijk and Lovren for the game at Molineux.
As expected, Virgil Van Dijk put in yet another commanding display against an upbeat Wolves attack comprising of Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Joao Moutinho. His composed presence helped Liverpool snuff out the host's attacking advances, hence keeping things solid at the back.
The Dutch international made some crucial interventions and exhibited a brilliant burst of pace to recover possession from a pacy Adama Traore. Along with this, Van Dijk completed the game with a pass success rate of 91%, won 8/9 duels, made 3 recoveries and most importantly scored the winning goal that sent his side top of the league until Christmas.
It was Van Dijk's first goal for Liverpool since scoring the winner against Everton in the 2018 FA Cup. A solid backline lead by an influential figure like Van Dijk has seen the Merseyside outfit amass eleven clean sheets so far, thereby equalling their overall tally of the 2013/14 Premier League season.
#2 Salah and Henderson shine in Liverpool's victory against newly promoted Wolves
Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson put in solid performances in Liverpool's clash against Wolves, which helped their side open up a four point lead over rivals Manchester City.
The Egyptian bagged his eleventh goal of the season with a deft flick off Fabinho's cross in the 18th minute. Salah exhibited some smart movement to escape the marking from Conor Coady, which underlined his attacking instincts in the penalty box. Last seasons Golden boot winner looked lively in the final third and took on the defenders with great confidence.
Salah assisted Van Dijk for Liverpool's second goal in the 68th minute and could have also added a few more goals to his name if not for some brilliant keeping by Rui Patricio. Liverpool's talismanic forward always looked dangerous with his searing pace and always looked to run behind Wolves' defence.
On the other hand, Jordan Henderson silenced his doubters with a classy performance at the middle of the park. Due to Fabinho's presence, Henderson attacked with more freedom. Not only did he keep things disciplined in midfield, but he also put in some wonderful forward passes and also helped in Liverpool's transition from defence to attack.
Henderson was also solid defensively and mopped up for his side on various occasions through some important interceptions. The England international finished the game with a pass success rate of 90% and made 38 forward passes. He made 2 interceptions and 7 recoveries which lay emphasis on the fact that Henderson acted as the perfect link between attack and defence.
Performances like this on a regular basis from Jordan Henderson will do him and his side a world of good as Liverpool look to continue their impressive run of form over the festive period.
#1 Wolves show positive signs, but must stay focused throughout the game
Nuno Espirito Santo's young Wolves side has shown immense potential and positive signs in the current Premier League campaign. The newly-promoted side secured a credible draws against Manchester City and Arsenal, punished Chelsea with a 2-1 win at home.
Yesterday's game saw Wolves go hammer and nail against league leaders Liverpool who looked to continue their impressive run of form. The home side stifled Liverpool's attacking advances in the initial phase of the game and also carved out few goal scoring opportunities which was squandered by the likes of Traore, Jimenez and Neves.
The negative aspect in Wolves' display against Liverpool was the manner in which they lost concentration while conceding both goals. In the first goal, the left-hand side of Wolves' defence did not do enough to stop the interplay between Mane and Fabinho. More specifically, Willy Bolly failed to track Fabinho's run in the box which ultimately lead to the opener.
Wolves captain Conor Coady was at fault for not tracking Salah's advance shortly before conceding the first goal of the night.
In the second half, Wolves cleared away a James Milner corner in the 68th minute but did not react quick enough to stop Salah from assisting Van Dijk, whose goal effectively sealed the victory for the visitors. On this occasion, Ryan Bennett was the man at fault as he let Van Dijk have a tap-in from close range.
Overall, Wolves have shown glimpses of their quality this season but have to remain focused for the entire ninety minutes. If they do not improve on this aspect, they could see themselves drop a lot of points from winning positions which will not be reflective of their true calibre.
