DAVE, STAN AND MAGIC TALK ABOUT WOLVES PERFORMANCE AGAINST LIVERPOOL
Wolves faced a tough battle against Liverpool at Molineux, finishing with a narrow 2-1 defeat. Despite the loss, many fans are feeling a mix of both pride and frustration. This was never going to be an easy match, and pre-game predictions ranged from grim to worse. But Wolves fought back, showing heart and effort.
We’ll break down the key moments from the match, discuss performances, and look forward to what Wolves need to build on from here.
No Expectations, But a Solid Fight
Going into the game, there was very little hope. Wolves had a tough week with a virus sweeping through the camp, and fans were bracing themselves for a big loss. Predictions of 3 or 4 goals down were common, and it felt like the Last Supper for some as the team sat bottom of the Premier League table.
But Wolves came out strong, particularly in the first 15 minutes, pushing Liverpool back and taking the game to them. The team put together some intricate passing and created a few solid opportunities. However, hesitation on that final ball and a lack of commitment in front of goal meant they never really troubled the Liverpool keeper early on.
Liverpool’s First Goal
Just before half-time, Liverpool struck. A cross from Jota made its way into the box, and Wolves were caught flat-footed. Johnstone made a great stop moments earlier to keep things level, but the defence couldn’t hold out forever. On the stroke of half-time, Liverpool went up 1-0, which felt harsh considering Wolves had put in a solid shift.
Wolves Fight Back, But A Harsh Penalty
Wolves weren’t about to back down after the break. They kept pressing and were rewarded when Jorgen Strand Larsen refused to give up on a ball, fighting to win it back and setting up a ricochet that ended with Rayan Aït-Nouri slotting it home. The fans erupted, and for a moment, it felt like the momentum had turned in Wolves’ favour.
But as often happens, Wolves found themselves vulnerable immediately after scoring. Diogo Jota, a former Wolves player, went down in the box in what many felt was an extremely soft penalty. The referee gave it, and Mohamed Salah calmly put it away to make it 2-1 to Liverpool. A penalty in such circumstances feels like a gut punch, especially in a game where Wolves offered so much.
Wolves’ Players Giving It Their All
One thing that’s clear: you can’t fault the effort from Wolves. From the defensive shift put in by the likes of Toti Gomes and Santiago Bueno, to the relentless running of Mario Lemina, every player gave it everything they had. Lemina, in particular, was so devastated by the end he sat crouched on the pitch with his head in his hands.
Johnstone, Wolves’ keeper, also had a solid outing, despite some fans nervously watching his distribution at points. He’s vastly improved in this area compared to previous matches and made several critical stops that kept Wolves in the game.
Where Wolves Fell Short
If there was one major criticism, it’s that Wolves lacked the final decision-making and sharpness in the final third. Several good moves broke down with either the wrong pass or hesitation in front of goal. Withdrawal of Strand Larsen, who had been pivotal in Wolves’ counter-attacks, meant Wolves lost momentum and his replacement Hwang Hee-chan just hasn’t really delivered lately. Fans are starting to lose patience with him. Whether it’s a loss of confidence or something else, something needs to change.
Man of the Match and Performance Ratings
Several players stood out. For many supporters, Joao Gomes put in a real shift, showing excellent commitment and work rate throughout the game. Some fans, however, felt that Toti Gomes deserved it, especially considering the defensive injuries and his solid performance during the match.
Reflection and Moving Forward
The result is frustrating, but there are positives to take away. The gap between Wolves and top teams like Liverpool is not as large as the table suggests. Yes, Wolves are bottom of the league, and wins are long overdue, but if performances like today continue, those victories will eventually come.
The team fought for 90 minutes. They made Liverpool work for the win and were undone by a soft penalty. Liverpool’s travelling fans might celebrate, but Wolves fans know their side is battling despite relentless setbacks.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, and after several consecutive losses, the pressure is mounting. But with Brentford and Manchester City coming up, Wolves have two more big challenges ahead. The energy, fight, and enthusiasm all need to be there if the team is going to claw its way out of the relegation zone. Wolves showed today they can fight – they just need to start finishing.
A much better performance for the whole game today, played for the shirt and some good quality on display BUT came up just short again against a Liverpool team who are now top of the league. Because of the defeat we couldn’t give it more than a 7.5. What’s your rating???? #wwfc pic.twitter.com/YI4cKU8hgV
— 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗩 (@_AlwaysWolves) September 28, 2024
There were a few contenders for man of the match but we chose Joao Gomes
— 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗩 (@_AlwaysWolves) September 28, 2024
Who was yours?#wwfc pic.twitter.com/0QtHsgDTyc