Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League will only look and feel insurmountable until the moment somebody starts to chip away at it. As such, this felt like another very big afternoon at Anfield.
This was the day when Liverpool’s remarkable run of Premier League results should have struck a little bump in the road.
Liverpool’s 31st league victory of a remarkable calendar year came with some help from football’s most controversial modern companion – the VAR system – and due to a hat-trick of golden Wolves chances spurned in the closing stages of what became quite a breathless game.
Sadio Mane was on target as table toppers Liverpool tightened their grip on the title with victory against Wolves at Anfield
Adam Lallana had teed up Mane, who then unerringly swept beyond Rui Patricio at the near post to hand the hosts the lead
But a lengthy VAR check soon ensued to determine whether Lallana had handled the ball in the build-up to the strike
Ruben Neves and the Wolves coaching staff had appealed for handball but Mane’s opener was eventually allowed to stand
At the outset, we should make it clear that VAR worked here. It is fashionable to say that it is ruining football but many of those uttering that this Christmas are those who were calling for an end to football’s imperfect beauty a couple of years ago. So let’s not be too liberal with the sympathy.
The bold facts are that Anthony Taylor and his officials got two difficult and important decisions wrong towards the end of the first half. So a disallowed goal from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane was allowed to stand and what was given as an immediate Wolves equaliser from Pedro Neto was then disallowed for offside.
VAR is not to blame here. The rules are to blame and there is a difference. Jonny was offside by a toe when he received possession before crossing for his team-mate at the far post.
It would have been impossible for a linesman to spot that but it was apparent on a VAR freeze frame and the correct decision was reached. To repeat: these are the rules.
Pedro Neto then appeared to have levelled the scores for Wolves, but his strike was ruled out after an offside in the lead-up
The visitors’ players were understandably incensed after Neto’s strike was ruled out just moments before the half-time break
As regards what happened at the end, that was all down to human error and it came dressed in gold and black.
Passive and submissive in the first half, Wolves played with greater energy and ambition from that point on. Coach Nuno Espirito Santo used his substitutions well in the second half and his team – fresh from a late charge to victory against Manchester City last Friday – almost did the same at an increasingly anxious Anfield.
Ultimately, it all came down to nerve. When it mattered, Moutinho, Romain Saiss and Ruben Vinagre didn’t have enough of it. In the space of about four minutes either side of the 90 minute mark, each player had time and space to skewer Liverpool.
Moutinho and Saiss were presented with their chances on the edge of the penalty area. Vinagre was closer to goal, to the left. Crucially, they all had time but none of them used it.
Three hurried shots failed to trouble Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and when home defender Virgil van Dijk headed clear a 94th minute corner, the whistle blew on another afternoon of nip and tuck football that has characterised much of Liverpool’s season.
Wolves and their manager felt a little hard done by. This was an afternoon on which little went their way. Equally, they had their chances yet Alisson made only a couple of meaningful saves and that tells much of the story.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was then cautioned by Anthony Taylor after his animated protests inside the technical area
Mohamed Salah had let loose a powerful effort in the early stages of the clash but the strike was superbly blocked in the box
As for Liverpool’s winning goal, it came towards the end of an opening half Liverpool dominated. Wolves – playing with a back five when out of possession – had attempted little more than to stay in the game and had done so. Mo Salah, Gigi Wijnaldum were off target with decent early chances while Roberto Firmino headed wide from a corner.
Indeed half time was almost with us when Van Dijk played a long pass in to the Wolves penalty area. Adam Lallana – starting in the league this season for only the third time – helped the ball on with his body and Mane applied a first time finish low to the goalkeeper’s right.
Referee Taylor immediately signalled handball against Lallana but replays suggested upper body or shoulder. Goal given.
Then, with their tails tweaked, Wolves applied their first pressure of the game and appeared to score through Neto’s first time shot from 12 yards. This time VAR revealed Jonny to be offside as he received the ball and prepared to race past Andrew Robertson to cross. Goal ruled out.
So that was the rub and Liverpool got it. Some may say it’s not for the first time this season and they may have a point. Nuno was so upset that he was booked. But who can really say that either outcome was incorrect?
Liverpool sported the golden emblem on their jerseys following the European champions’ victory in the Club World Cup
Jurgen Klopp and Nuno greeted each other warmly before kick off with both sides enjoying impressive campaigns once again
The victory for Liverpool sees them move 13 points clear of Leicester once again ahead of a clash with Sheffield United
Wolves’ second half response was admirable and they could have taken a point at least.
Equally, we may ask why they didn’t play with such ambition prior to Liverpool’s goal. Before that, Wolves had not attempted a single shot and had afforded Liverpool 71 per cent of the possession.
Liverpool did have chances in the second half. Firmino volleyed over and Wijnaldum failed to keep a header down. Increasingly, though, they were indebted to their defenders and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both enjoyed superb afternoons. Gomez in particular will be relieved to have found some real form.
Full-time still felt like a relief. This will surely be Liverpool’s title but there will be times when it does not feel easy. This was one of them.
