Liverpool ascended into the top four, securing a fraught 2-1 victory over a beleaguered Wolverhampton Wanderers side whose wait for a win has now stretched to record-breaking lengths.
It was an afternoon where summer acquisition Florian Wirtz truly arrived, netting his maiden goal for the Reds, while Ryan Gravenberch ended his own scoring drought to ensure Arne Slot’s men claimed all three points at Anfield.
The contest began under a veil of poignancy, marking the first meeting between Diogo Jota’s former clubs since the striker’s tragic passing in July. In a touching tribute, his sons, Dinis and Duarte, graced the turf alongside the mascots—a sombre reminder of the human element behind the sport. Once the whistle blew, the hosts began with intent, Hugo Ekitike rattling the woodwork, though Wolves’ Mateus Mane served an early warning with a blazing counter-attack.
As the interval beckoned with the deadlock unbroken, Liverpool finally found their rhythm. Ryan Gravenberch broke the resistance, drilling a precise finish past Jose Sa, capitalising on a moment of quality from Jeremie Frimpong. Moments later, the in-form Hugo Ekitike turned provider, carving out the opportunity for Wirtz to open his account since his high-profile move from Bayer Leverkusen, doubling the advantage before the break.
Despite a nightmarish 2025-26 campaign, Wolves have shown flashes of resilience on their travels, and they refused to capitulate. Santiago Bueno halved the deficit shortly after the break, prodding home from a corner to expose Liverpool’s lingering frailty at set-pieces. Suddenly, comfort turned to anxiety. Wirtz dazzled with a solo run to set up Gravenberch for a potential third, only for the midfielder to miss, while Tolu Arokodare gave the Anfield faithful a scare with a free header that drifted agonizingly over.
Desperate to break their duck under Rob Edwards, Wolves threw bodies forward in search of parity. It required a vital, last-ditch intervention from substitute Conor Bradley to deny the impressive Mane. Ultimately, the hosts navigated the choppy waters of the final minutes to seal a win that extends their unbeaten streak to seven games.
Player Ratings:
Florian Wirtz (9/10): The undisputed star of the show. Building on his recent creative form, the German playmaker exuded composure to slot home his first goal. With the most chances created and duels won, this was a masterful display on home soil.
Jeremie Frimpong (8/10): Making his first start since October, the full-back was a constant outlet, providing a delightful cutback assist for the opener. Ryan Gravenberch (8/10) matched him for impact, timing his run perfectly to score and looking sharp throughout. Up front, Hugo Ekitike (8/10) continued his excellent run, his fabulous solo work paving the way for Wirtz’s strike.
Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk (7/10) was his usual imperious self, offering calm amidst the storm, while Curtis Jones (7/10) provided industrious cover. However, it was a difficult afternoon for Ibrahima Konate (4/10), who looked rusty and struggled physically against Arokodare, leaving Alisson (6/10) helpless for the Wolves goal. Federico Chiesa (5/10) was largely peripheral before being substituted, while Alexis Mac Allister (6/10) failed to capitalise on good positions.
From the bench, Conor Bradley (7/10) made a match-saving tackle, proving his worth in a cameo appearance, while manager Arne Slot (6/10) will be relieved to take the points, even if his substitutions perhaps came a fraction too late to quell the rising Wolves tide.