As the final whistle blew at Anfield on Sunday, a wave of relief washed over the Liverpool faithful. Their team had just secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a determined Wolverhampton Wanderers side, maintaining their slender lead atop the Premier League table. But while the three points were ultimately secured, the manner of the win left plenty of cause for concern.
For much of the first half, it seemed business as usual for Arne Slot’s men. Goals from the irrepressible duo of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah had the Reds cruising, their free-flowing attack carving open the Wolves defense at will. At 2-0 up and in total control, Liverpool looked poised to rack up another statement scoreline.
Wolves Expose Liverpool Frailties
But as the second half unfolded, the script flipped dramatically. Liverpool’s intensity waned, their passing grew sloppy, and Wolves began to sense an opportunity. When Matheus Cunha curled home a sublime effort to halve the deficit on 67 minutes, Anfield grew restless. Suddenly, a routine home win had turned into a nervy affair.
In the end, Liverpool held on for a vital victory that keeps their title ambitions alive. But the nature of their second-half display will undoubtedly raise eyebrows among the Anfield faithful. Against a Wolves side battling relegation, the Reds looked bereft of ideas and worryingly short on energy.
Alarming Lack of Attacking Thrust
Perhaps most concerning was Liverpool’s total lack of attacking impetus after the break. Incredibly, Slot’s side failed to register a single shot in the second 45 minutes – the first time that’s happened in a Premier League home game since Opta began tracking such data in 2003. It was a stark contrast to their first-half fluency.
If you want to achieve something in a season, you need to play good football. That’s the basis of success. But if you don’t have the mentality to win difficult games, then you will never achieve something.
– Arne Slot
Tough Tests on the Horizon
Of course, grinding out ugly wins is the hallmark of any champion. No team can play champagne football every week, and there will always be days when getting the job done matters more than the performance. But with a trip to Manchester City looming on the horizon, Liverpool know they will need to be at their absolute best to keep their title dream alive.
First up though is a tricky away day at Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side have been in fine form of late, and will relish the chance to throw a spanner in Liverpool’s title works. Slot will need to rally his troops and ensure there is no hangover from their Goodison Park exertions last time out.
Mentality Monsters Must Rise Again
Ultimately, this Liverpool squad has proven time and again that they have the mental fortitude to navigate high-pressure situations. From their stunning Champions League triumph in 2017 to last season’s relentless pursuit of Manchester City, Slot’s “mentality monsters” have consistently found a way to prevail.
- Liverpool have won 12 of their last 13 Premier League home games (D1)
- The Reds are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League games at Anfield (W19 D6)
- Mo Salah has now scored 126 goals in 198 Premier League appearances for Liverpool
They will need every ounce of that resolve in the weeks ahead. With Arsenal stubbornly refusing to falter, there is simply no margin for error. Liverpool cannot afford any more lackluster second-half displays like the one against Wolves.
The hallmark of champions is finding a way to win even when not at your best. Liverpool did that on Sunday, albeit in far from convincing fashion. But with sterner tests on the immediate horizon, Slot and his players know they must raise their game significantly.
The Premier League title race remains finely poised, but Liverpool’s nervy win over Wolves provided a timely reminder of just how precarious their position remains. Slot’s men have answered every challenge thrown their way this season – now they must prove they have the staying power to see off the most formidable of foes and etch their name into Anfield folklore once more.
