Liverpool secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points. Goals from Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah gave the Reds control of the match, but a late strike from Matheus Cunha made for a tense finale.
Díaz opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Wolves defender Toti Gomes failed to clear a cross, allowing the Colombian winger to bundle the ball into the net. Liverpool continued to dominate, and their pressure paid off when Díaz won a penalty in the 37th minute after being fouled by Wolves goalkeeper José Sá. Mohamed Salah stepped up and calmly slotted home his 23rd league goal of the season, putting the Reds in a commanding position before halftime.
Wolves Fight Back After Controversial VAR Decision
Despite Liverpool’s first-half dominance, Wolves came out fighting in the second half, determined to salvage a result. The visitors nearly pulled one back when Matheus Cunha fired a free kick just over the bar, signaling their attacking intent.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 62nd minute when Diogo Jota went down inside the Wolves’ penalty area under a sliding challenge. Referee Simon Hooper initially awarded a penalty but reversed his decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, ruling that Jota had exaggerated the contact. This decision proved to be a turning point, as Wolves grew in confidence and continued to press forward.
Matheus Cunha’s Stunning Goal Sets Up Tense Finale
Liverpool’s grip on the match weakened in the 67th minute when Matheus Cunha produced a moment of brilliance to bring Wolves back into the game. The Brazilian forward picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a superb left-footed strike that curled past Alisson Becker into the bottom corner, silencing Anfield and igniting hope among Wolves’ supporters.
With the score at 2-1, Wolves pushed for an equalizer, launching a series of dangerous attacks. However, Liverpool’s defense, led by Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, stood firm, repelling wave after wave of Wolves’ pressure. Goalkeeper Alisson was also called into action, making a crucial save in the dying minutes to deny Cunha a second goal.
Liverpool Survive Nervous Finish to Maintain Title Charge
The final 20 minutes saw Liverpool struggling to regain control of the game as Wolves sensed an opportunity to snatch a late equalizer. Anfield, usually a fortress, grew increasingly anxious as Wolves continued to press. Despite the pressure, Arne Slot’s side managed to hold on, securing all three points and strengthening their position at the top of the table.
Speaking after the match, Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson admitted that the second half was a challenge. “We just managed to dig deep. The second half was a slog, but we got the job done. Everyone gets nervous, but it’s a massive win for us,” he said.
Title Race Heats Up as Liverpool Extend Lead Over Arsenal
Liverpool’s victory takes them to 60 points with 13 games remaining, seven points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who will now feel the pressure to respond in their next fixture. While Liverpool remain favorites for the title, tougher tests lie ahead, with upcoming matches against Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Newcastle.
Wolves, meanwhile, find themselves in a relegation battle, sitting 17th with 19 points—just two above the drop zone. Their spirited second-half performance will provide some encouragement as they fight to maintain their Premier League status.
Liverpool will now shift their focus to the next crucial fixtures, knowing that any slip-ups could reignite Arsenal’s title hopes. For now, they remain in control of their destiny, but as the Premier League has shown time and time again, anything can happen in the final stretch of the season.
