Liverpool 4, Wolves 0 - Match Recap: Fans Boost the Reds to Huge Victory
Liverpool welcome fans back to Anfield with an entertaining win against Wolves.
Liverpool 4 - 0 Wolves
Liverpool: Salah 22’, Wijnaldum 58’, Matip 67’, Semedo (OG) 78’
Pre-Match
The stars may be aligning for Kelleher, who makes his first Premier League start in front of the first crowd that’s been on the Kop in nearly a full year. Otherwise, Klopp chooses the classic front three, while Jota remains on the bench against his former team.
First Half
This game has started off quite entertaining. It seems like both teams are energized by a real crowd watching. There have been good opportunities on both sides and sprinting from end of the pitch to the other.
Neco Williams picks up an early yellow card, which is never good news for a defender. With Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench, he may see an early exit.
I can’t be the only one getting choked up at the real sounds coming from the Kop. I don’t know how advisable it is, but for right now, I’ll enjoy this. The players clearly are.
Kelleher moved into his first big save of the game. He continues to make a strong case for himself with an assured early performance.
GOALL! 22’ Salah - Oof, it’s former Liverpool player Conor Coady who makes a bad mistake controlling the ball near his goal. Salah takes advantage, nicks the ball and slides it into the goal.
Curtis Jones goes down with an impact injury, but thankfully, the young midfielder is able to continue after a brief treatment on the field.
At the end of the first half, Mane and Coady clash in front of Liverpool’s goal. Referee Pawson initially calls it a penalty against Mané, but in a shocking twist, VAR works in the Reds’ favor and the penalty decision is reversed following a review. Mané pulled out of a pretty dangerous bicycle kick in the box, avoiding contact with Coady, who gets away with the simulation without picking up a yellow card.
The teams go into halftime with Liverpool ahead thanks to Salah.
Second Half
The half starts strong for Liverpool, who are attacking the Kop end. Robertson, in particular, has come out flying. He makes an incredible cross-field pass from his wing all the way across to the tip of Salah’s toe. Salah gets the ball to Mané, but they don’t quite pull it off. Moments later, sprinting down the other wing now Robertson earns the team a corner.
Coady nearly levels the game again, but this time it’s a timely Fabinho defensive intervention and not VAR that blocks his attempt.
GOALLLL! 58’ Wijnaldum - Wolves commit too many forward, and Liverpool punish them for their presumption. Henderson gets the ball into Gini’s path, and he strikes it beautifully into the top corner.
GOALLL! 67’ Matip - Robertson wins the Reds a corner. Henderson sends it in short to Salah, who floats it into the box and onto the head of Joel Matip. Liverpool are three goals to the good, as easy as you like.
As predicted, Williams is the first player substituted out for Alexander-Arnold to make his return from injury. He’ll get a good 25 minutes to stretch his legs before the Champions League in midweek.
GOALLLLL!! 78’ Semedo - Liverpool continue ripping Wolves apart with their long passes. This time it’s Alexander-Arnold who gets in on the action, delivering the ball into the box, where Nelson Semedo got the final, accidental touch to make it four.
Final Thoughts
A lovely return to Anfield for the fans, as Liverpool put in a great performance to beat Wolves.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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