A Sadio Mane goal and some VAR help gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Wolves at Anfield to make sure they go into 2020 holding a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Mane's goal three minutes before the break ended up giving Liverpool all three points after VAR twice intervened on proceedings, with both times costing a furious Wolves despite both decisions being correct by the letter of the law.
Referee Anthony Taylor disallowed Mane's goal for a handball against Adam Lallana but the TV replays showed it was clearly a shoulder and that goal rightly stood, but it was a lot tighter when Pedro Neto's equaliser was then chalked off for the tiniest of offside margins in the build-up.
Both sides looked tired in the second half but although Wolves finished stronger, they could not force a goal as Jurgen Klopp's side ended a remarkable year with yet another Anfield win and their 17th out of 18 in a spellbinding start to the season that looks to be heading towards ending their 30-year wait for a league title.
The Reds end 2019 with a 13-point advantage over second-placed Leicester, with a game in hand on the Foxes and champions Manchester City, as they head into 2020 full of hope of lifting the Premier League trophy for the very first time.
Liverpool should have taken the lead after just a couple of minutes when man-of-the-moment Trent Alexander-Arnold fired a trademark ball in for Mohamed Salah, only for the Egyptian to lift the ball over from just six yards out.
Wolves were happy to sit in with a five-four-one formation at times when without the ball, and although Liverpool enjoyed the bulk of possession then only threatened in flashes.
It took 20 minutes to get the first shot on target but Rui Patricio was never troubled until all manner of VAR shenanigans broke out three minutes before the break.
Referee Taylor was sure Lallana had handled the ball to set-up Mane’s goal, but VAR correctly overturned the decision as the ball clearly struck his shoulder on the way through to the Senegal striker.
After the lengthy stoppage, Wolves then thought they had levelled with their first real attack as Neto stroked home after some scruffy defensive work from the hosts. It seemed just a routine VAR check would follow but it proved very much otherwise.
The TV officials managed to find the most slender of offsides in the build-up and the goal, again after a lengthy stoppage, was chalked off.
The second half had a few chances for either side but both teams struggled to get into top gear as tiredness took hold. Adama Traore made a big difference to Wolves with his pace troubling Liverpool on a couple of occasions late on.
Joao Moutinho and Romain Saiss wasted good chances from the edge of the box in the closing moments, but Liverpool held on to grind out the win, as they've done so many times already this season, to maintain their healthy lead at the top of the table.
Liverpool 1-0 Wolves Opta stats
- Liverpool are now unbeaten in 50 home league games (W40 D10); this is only the third time any side has gone 50+ home matches without defeat in English top-flight history, after Chelsea (86 between 2004 and 2008) and Liverpool themselves (63 between 1978 and 1980).
- Liverpool have won 17 consecutive matches at Anfield in the Premier League; only Man Utd (19 ending in October 2011) and Man City (20 ending in March 2012) have had longer home winning runs in the competition’s history.
- Wolves have lost each of their last six league meetings with Liverpool, managing to score only one goal in this run while conceding 13.
- Liverpool end 2019 having earned 98 points from 37 Premier League matches; their ratio of 2.65 points per game is the second highest ever achieved by a team in a single year in the competition, behind only Chelsea’s 2.66 in 2005.
- This was Wolves’ first defeat in eight away league outings (W3 D4) and was the first time they failed to score on the road in the Premier League since their goalless draw at Leicester on the opening matchday of the season.
- Liverpool’s Sadio Mané is only the second player to be directly involved in 30 Premier League goals during 2019 (24 goals, 6 assists), after Jamie Vardy (34).
- Adam Lallana assisted a Premier League goal for Liverpool for the first time since December 2016 against Manchester City, two years and 363 days ago.
- Jordan Henderson made his 308th Premier League appearance since the start of 2010, confirming that the Liverpool midfielder has played in more matches than any other player in the competition this decade.
AS IT HAPPENED
⌚ FT LIVERPOOL 1-0 WOLVES
It got a bit nervy at the end but Liverpool see it out to claim yet another three points and ensure they go into 2020 with a 13-point lead at the top of the table.
90+2 WASTED CHANCE
Alexander-Arnold has given away a couple of chances now, this time Vinagre slashes at a chance from a tight angle when he had options in the centre. Klopp looking at his watch now...
89' 👇 SAME AGAIN
Copy and paste from below with another move colminating in a chance at the edge of the Liverpool box - this time Saiss blazes high over the bar. A lot more energy in that effort but same result.
87' CHANCE AGAIN WOLVES
Moutinho swings a tired leg at a volley from the edge of the box and it sails high over the bar - chance created by Traore and that pace again.
🔁 85' CHANGES
Wijnaldum & Firmino come off for Origi & Milner as Liverpool try to see the game out.
82' CHANCE!
Big chance for Wolves as substitute Raul Jimenez gets the wrong side of Alexander-Arnold from a long ball but a last-ditch Gomez challenge blocks his effort away for a corner.
80' EVEN CONTEST
Not a great deal happening, Liverpool almost get in through Salah, but a very deep Coady is waiting almost on his own six-yard box to clear the danger. Liverpool just sitting back a bit more now.
74' WOLVES GROWING
The visitors have been the better side since the changes, and they're just getting a foothold in proceedings now. No signs of playing less than 48 hours ago as they look the stronger outfit right now.
🙆♂️ 67' BIG CHANCE!
Big chance, big save from Alisson Becker as Jota robs a strangely lapse Van Dijk and runs in on goal and goes for power on a tight angle, perhaps better options lay inside the box though.
🔁 62' KEITA ON
Lallana's race is run and he trudges off heavy-legged after putting a decent shift in. Naby Keita comes on to replace him.
🔁🏃♀️💨 58' TRAORE IS ON
Too many emojis? Maybe so, but that just reflects that Wolves have brought their in-form danger man Adama Traore on just when Liverpool wouldn't want to see him. Gomez and Van Dijk had better get their skates on.
52' CLOSE!
Another nice move between Salah and Firmino sees the Brazilian float a lovely ball in from the right but surprisingly there's nobody in a red shirt at the far post where there's acres of space.
50' BREAK ON
Wolves stepping forward a bit more leaves a touch of space in behind, and Salah tries to exploit it by looking to go 70 yards all by himself, the three Wolves defenders sort it out between them.
🗣 FEEDBACK
⌚ KICK-OFF
Second half underway, unsurprisingly Wolves have come out looking like a side with a point to prove...
📽 HT HIGHLIGHTS
⌚ HT LIVERPOOL 1-0 WOLVES
What I do know is that it's definitely half time now after an eventful end to that half. Both VAR calls are correct to the letter of the law, and while the first one for the Liverpool goal corrected a wrong call, the second one against Wolves does seem a bit harsh, but under the rules offside is offside.
📺 NO GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 WOLVES
Well, well, well - that man VAR has struck again here and there's an offside by the tiniest of margins in the build-up to that equaliser and Wolves are fuming as it's ruled out. Nobody thinks of the poor guys doing live blogs when this happens do they?
⚽ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 WOLVES (Neto 45+3)
Wolves are at it again! Their first shot on target results in a goal after a real mess in the Liverpool defence allowed Neto to be free at the far post to sweep the ball home.
⚽ GOAL! LIVERPOOOL 1-0 WOLVES (Mane 42)
Just to clarify that there is, in fact, a goal. Interesting to note that the VAR were checking if referee Taylor had blown his whistle before the ball crossed the line, as they wouldn't have been able to overturn it in that case... Exactly why the refs need to wait a bit before blowing up these days.
✋ GOAL! RULED OUT - AND IN AGAIN!
Who says VAR spoils football? Sadio Mane's goal is ruled out for a handball from Adam Lallana in the build-up by referee Anthony Taylor, but the VAR officials have no choice but to overrule the on-field ref as it's clearly off the Liverpool man's shoulder?
🤣 36' WHAT'S HE DOING THERE?
Andy Robertson pops up on the right wing, desperate to get into the game...
🙆♂️ 32' JUST WIDE!
Firmino heads just wide from a corner. Set plays may be a decent route for the Reds if this continues.
📈 30' PACKED DEFENCE
Any threat Liverpool carry is coming down the right via Alexander-Arnold, it's all rather narrow apart from that with Salah, Firmino & Mane all in touching distance at times. Wolves sit back in a five-four-one formation without the ball and so far it's working well channeling Liverpool's attacks into a packed middle of the field.
22' SALAH VOLLEY SAVED
A little bit more dangerous from the Reds, but still Salah's volley was ambitious from outside the box as he was cramped for room to get any kind of serious power on the ball. Just not clicking yet for the hosts, but you've got to say it's been a disciplined and organised display from Wolves so far.
🙌 19' SHOT ON TARGET!
It's taken almost 20 minutes but we've finally got a shot on target, barely, as Firmino's effort is deflected into the arms of Rui Patricio. Strange game so far, some nice build-up play from Liverpool but they've not threatened since Salah's early chance.
15' BLAZED OVER!
Decent chance for Gini Wijnaldum 12 yards out as a corner eventually drops to him, but he volleys the ball high over the bar under a bit of pressure from on-rushing defenders.
12' OFFSIDE
Another slick move from Liverpool down the right almost brings a goal for Salah, but the flag's up on the far side for an offside in the build-up. Wolves happy to sit deep as Liverpool enjoy all the possession.
✋ 9' HANDBALL
A nervy start for Max Kilman in the Wolves back-line as he's robbed by Lallana but Liverpool are pulled back by referee Anthony Taylor for a handball.
6' CORNER WOLVES
Woles look to spring free behind Liverpool's high line with Neto but Gomez gets across to put the ball behind for a Wolves corner.
😁 ALL SMILES
4' CHANCE!
Mo Salah misses a golden opportunity from six yards out after yet another Trent Alexander-Arnold assist from the right. Salah was free enough to just plant the ball from with his left foot but he lifts it over the bar. Huge early chance for the hosts.
⌚ KICK-OFF
We're underway at Anfield - Liverpool attacking the Anfield Road end as usual.
🥇 GOLD STANDARD
📊 MATCH STATS
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 49 Premier League home games (W39 D10). If they avoid defeat here it would be just the third unbeaten home run of 50+ games in English top-flight history (Chelsea 86, 2004-2008 and Liverpool 63, 1978-1980).
- Wolves are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League away games (W3 D4). However, their last two defeats on the road in the competition have been on Merseyside (0-2 v Liverpool in May, 2-3 v Everton in September).
- Liverpool have won 16 consecutive Premier League home games, scoring at least twice in every victory (49 goals in total).
- Liverpool have scored 87 Premier League goals in 2019 – in top-flight history, only in 1928 (88) and 1982 (106) have they scored more in a single calendar year.
- Since the start of last season, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 20 assists in the Premier League, at least three more than any other player.
- Raul Jiménez has been involved in seven of Wolves’ 13 away goals in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 3 assists), including six of their last 10 on the road.
📝 BIG MATCH TIPS
We got George Pitts on the case for this one, who says....
Wolves' festive fixtures have not been too kind. Man City on the 27th and Liverpool on the 29th.
They played out a thriller and completed the double over the Premier League champions at Molineux on Thursday, but to pull off another shock just 48 hours later is a big ask.
We got some winners from that victory - Wolves in the handicap market, with a two-goal head start and then a +4 on the corners - while no shocks are expected as such, the visitors can at least take some points off Jurgen Klopp's men.
The Reds, after seeing Man City drop points again, could rotate to provide fresher legs in a hectic month and, with Wolves playing so soon after their last game, this match may struggle to find its flow and under 2.5 total goals at just over 6/4 is appealing.
But Wolves are draw specialists. With Europa League football testing their squad already this season, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have had to get used to playing two games in a relatively short space of time.
They have already accumulated nine draws in 19 matches and, with the multiple factors weighed up, a draw looks generously priced at just under 5/1.
Chuck in under 3.5 goals and you have a very tempting 6/1 that is surely worth a small stake. This Liverpool side have been fantastic but, with such a lead and a tough game also to come on New Year's Day and this being their ninth fixture in December, the table toppers can be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas a little.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Wolves (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
Best bet: Draw and under 3.5 total goals at 6/1
📽 LEICESTER 0-4 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool send out a title statement on Boxing Day.
📽 WOLVES 3-2 MAN CITY
Wolves comeback stuns ten-man City.
🔴 LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Adam Lallana gets a start for Liverpool in place of Naby Keita as the only change and Jordan Henderson is fit after taking a knock at Leicester on Boxing Day. Jurgen Klopp says Zherdan Shaqiri would've started if fit.
🐺 WOLVES TEAM NEWS
Just the four changes for Nuno despite the close proximity of the two Premier League games, if anyone should be complaining about the festive fixtures it's Wolves who have been dealt the worst hand possible. Still, they've already got three points so they can just go out and play here.
🎧 LISTEN: 2019 FOOTBALL AWARDS
While you're here, check out our 2019 football awards podcast..
👍 WELCOME...
To our live coverage of the big Premier League game at Anfield. Liverpool are well clear at the top but Wolves have just beaten Man City so will be full of confidence for the trip to Merseyside - even if it is barely 48 hours since they toppled Pep Guardiola's side!
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