Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Report, result and goals as Reds move into top four

Liverpool moved, at least temporarily, into the top four of the Premier League with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over winless Wolves on an emotional day at Anfield.

The first meeting between the two sides since former Liverpool and Wolves forward Diogo Jota was tragically killed in a car accident in July saw Jota’s children accompany Reds captain Virgil van Dijk onto the pitch, while the entirety of the stadium rose to pay tribute to the Portuguese in the 20th minute.

Liverpool appeared set to win at a canter after Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz, the latter scoring his first Premier League goal, gave them command with two goals in as many minutes.

However, Santiago Bueno pulled one back six minutes into the second half and Wolves were stunningly the more threatening team thereafter.

Liverpool leapfrog Manchester United and Chelsea into the top four ahead of the Blues’ clash with Aston Villa, though the second half performance will be of significant concern to Arne Slot after their defensive frailties were exposed by a side that still has just two points to their name.

Gravenberch puts Liverpool ahead

An unsurprisingly fast start from the hosts saw Hugo Ekitike hit the post after being played through by Wirtz, though Liverpool subsequently laboured in their efforts to break down Wolves.

Gravenberch provided the breakthrough in the 41st minute, finding the net with a powerful low drive from Jeremie Frimpong’s pull back.

And a minute Wirtz gave Wolves a mountain to climb.

Wirtz ends his wait

Wirtz’s first season with Liverpool has been defined by frustration in his efforts to vindicate his £100million price tag, but he made no mistake when presented with a golden chance to score in the Premier League for the first time, poking under Jose Sa after latching on to Ekitike’s throughball.

Yet familiar failings gave Wolves hope shortly after the second-half restart when Bueno turned into an empty net, Liverpool once again undone by a set-piece as they were punished for failing to clear a corner.

Curtis Jones forced Sa into a low save at the other end, but in reality it was Wolves who looked by far the more likely to score the game’s fourth goal.

Tolu Arokodare was left unmarked but could only head over from Jackson Tchatchoua’s delivery, and another opportunity for Wolves to claim a share of the spoils went begging when Conor Bradley produced a crucial intervention to stop Jhon Arias from tapping in from Jorgen Strand Larsen’s ball across the face of goal.

The fact that such defensive heroics were required against a Wolves side destined for relegation will do little to dispel doubts about Liverpool as they aim to salvage a largely disappointing second season under Arne Slot.