Liverpool

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After watching Arsenal cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points yesterday, Liverpool have now reinstated their seven-point gap, but it did not come easily.

The Reds started the game at home to Wolves looking fresh and determined to put Wednesday's disappointing equaliser against Everton behind them and they did so in fine fashion when Luis Diaz bundled over the line in the 15th-minute.

It almost seemed to be game over when Mohamed Salah converted from the spot to net for the 23rd time this season.

But that was far from the case with Wolves debutant Marshall Munetsi forcing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson into an excellent one-on-one save.

The alarm bells were then ringing for Liverpool, who had a goal chalked off for a offside and a second penalty rightfully overturned, as Matheus Cunha superbly curled into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 with over 20 minutes to play.

Wataru Endo's cameo from the bench was vital for the Reds as they hung on in the final minutes with the Japan international winning vital interceptions and disrupting numerous Wolves attacks.

With Aston Villa to come on Wednesday night, Liverpool can move 10 points clear of the Gunners before making the short trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to MOTD after today's win: "It was mentally difficult the second half because we thought we scored the third, then thought we got a penalty, both situations were correctly handed by the referee.

"They got better and better, we got worse and worse. We had to show a different mentality which we did and got it over the line.

"In a season like this we have played so many great games, but in a season you want to win something you have to win the difficult ones as well when you are not playing your best. We were so close on Wednesday, this time we did survive.

"If you want to achieve something it is not only about bringing the ball out from the back or Mo [Salah] scoring goals, it is also about defending."

On the title race: "If you look at the last few seasons it has mostly been a battle between two teams. As things stand now it mostly looks like between us and Arsenal. I believe they have a 15-point game unbeaten run and I think at the start of that we were seven points clear of them and we still are now.

"So, it tells you how well they are doing but also how well we are doing."

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Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, has been speaking to MOTD after today's victory: "We'd love to dominate for the full 90 minutes but it is the Premier League and Wolves can punish you and create dangerous moments against you. It says a lot we kept fighting and kept going and got the three points.

"Today showed at times that when we have the ball you can exploit it as well. Cunha was a danger man for them today we had to be aware of. Unfortunately he scored but we kept them to that.

"I definitely give them credit the way they went one v one most of the times and how they found the free man between the lines.

"At times we were sloppy as well and we couldn't keep the ball as well as we can at times."

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Liverpool have won 30 of their 40 matches across all competitions this season, more than any other team in Europe's big five leagues. Only in 2019-20 (37) and 1982-83 (39) have they reached 30 victories in a season in fewer games.

Liverpool have scored two or more goals in 17 successive matches at Anfield in all competitions - their joint-longest run of scoring two or more at home since joining the Football League in 1893 (also 17 from February to November 2019).

This was the first time on record (since 2003-04) that Liverpool failed to attempt a shot in the second half of a Premier League game at Anfield. In fact, it was the first time in this period that the Reds went an entire half of football without attempting a shot in a home league match.

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• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Wolves got a big win over Villa in their last league match and I watched them beat Blackburn in the FA Cup too.

I cannot see Vitor Pereira's side getting anything at Anfield, though.

Liverpool have to bounce back after conceding an equaliser so late on against Everton but I do expect them to react positively here.

They might not have manager Arne Slot or his assistant Sipke Hulshoff on the bench after their red cards on Wednesday, and this is a tricky spell for them with away games against Aston Villa and Manchester City coming up next week.

A lot of people might be thinking this might be their blip, but I don't think what happened in the derby is going to faze Liverpool.

There are 14 games left so they are not in the home straight yet, and they still have a seven-point cushion at the top.

In many ways, their players might use the dropped points at Goodison Park as a motivation to see off Wolves, and I am pretty confident they will get back on track straight away.

I am going for Mohammed Salah to score and Liverpool to win comfortably.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist

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Since David Moyes returned to Everton, the Toffees' form has been nothing short of superb.

Their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday took their tally under the Scotsman to 13 points in six matches.

During this period, only Arsenal have equalled same same number, and Everton have also gained three more points than their Merseyside rivals and league leaders Liverpool.

Prior to Moyes' return, the Toffees picked up just three league wins in 19 Premier League matches.

After Saturday, they now have four victories under Moyes.

Beto and James Tarkowski both indicated after the match that the team is playing better football under the Scot, while the 61-year-old said: "To come back to Everton was something I hoped would happen and I didn't expect it to happen.

"It is great to be accepted again and the fans have been brilliant.

"I think they are starting to believe a bit more in us and the team. Everton has had a difficult period and I certainly think there is light at the end of the tunnel now with the new owners coming in."

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Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports after today's win: "The players have reacted well. It has been a dream start coming in and winning so many games. Starting to look more healthy in the Premier League.

"I hope it will be the case, ultimately I am thinking we still have to get enough points. It has been a brilliant start, it was a good win for us today, really scrappy.

"They showed great resilience and won at a difficult place against a team who have been improving."

On the performance: "I expected better. I told them that. I thought we looked not at it in the first half. In the second half we did a bit better with the ball, even though we lost the goal in the second half. The players are doing wonders, I am so pleased for them.

"There's a much better togetherness with the supporters and the players. It is certainly a club which thrives off its support, hopefully we are getting them all back on side again."

On the atmosphere at Goodison Park during the Merseyside derby: "We all know Goodison has never been an easy place to come and play. I have to say, since I come back the crowd has been fantastic - Goodison is much more like I remembered it."

On positive form since his return: "I don't know if there's any secret. Sometimes in football you're given opportunities and you have to take your chance. Beto's chances have come through injury, he probably saw a chance to play half a dozen games or so.

"It was down to him to show if he was capable. He is getting better in the games as well and I am really pleased for him."

On Carlos Alcarez: "He started to tire a bit just before he got his goal. He did a great job for the team.

"We are short of players, 13 first team players available, not a great deal on the bench - that's why the wins are so important.

"Carlos has done a great job today."

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Everton defender James Tarkowski has also been speaking to Sky Sports after today's win: "We knew it was going to be tough today. Low on numbers and with all the emotions of Wednesday. We had quality when we needed and we defended well late on."

On Beto: "He has been outstanding. he has run himself into the ground as much as he can. he has bee outstanding recently and got his goal."

Have you improved since Moyes came in? "Winning and scoring goals brings that back. Since the manager has come in we have definitely improved. I don't think we were great today but we took our opportunities. We are still working to get better.

"On a day like today, we stuck at it and got the win."