Liverpool took another step toward Premier League glory with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield. The win kept them seven points clear at the top of the table, but it was not without its nervous moments.
Despite a strong first-half performance that saw Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah find the net, the Reds failed to register a single shot in the second half—a first since the 2003-04 season, according to Opta. Wolves put up a spirited fight after the break, pulling a goal back and pushing Liverpool deep into their defensive shape.
Andy Robertson acknowledged the tension surrounding the title race, stating, “Everyone gets nervous. The players get nervous, the crowd gets nervous – that’s only natural. But another game down. This result is big.” With just 13 games remaining, Liverpool know they must maintain their composure in the final stretch to secure their 20th league title.
Finding Different Ways to Win: Liverpool’s Tactical Evolution
Liverpool’s performance against Wolves was far from their usual attacking masterclass, but it highlighted a crucial aspect of championship-winning teams: adaptability. While they dominated the first half, the second period was more about survival, with their defense and midfield working tirelessly to protect the lead.
Manager Arne Slot praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We had to show a different mentality, which we did and got it over the line. If you want to win something, you have to win the difficult ones as well when you’re not playing your best.” This ability to grind out results could be key as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Opta’s supercomputer has Liverpool as heavy favorites for the title, predicting them to finish with 87 points, seven ahead of Arsenal. With an 87.65% probability of winning the league, the statistics suggest Liverpool are in firm control—though history warns that nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle of the season.
Liverpool’s Remaining Fixtures: The Final Hurdles
Liverpool’s schedule for the coming weeks is demanding, with crucial games in both domestic and European competitions. They have three tough Premier League fixtures within the next two weeks, including an away trip to Manchester City—a match that could be decisive in the title race.
March offers a slight reprieve in terms of league action, with only one game against Southampton, but they will also contest the EFL Cup final against Newcastle and begin their Champions League knockout campaign. Their season finale is a home game against Crystal Palace, a fixture they will hope to enter with the title already secured.
Key Fixtures:
February 23: Manchester City (A)
April 26: Tottenham (H)
May 10: Arsenal (H)
May 25: Crystal Palace (H)
Arsenal’s Challenge: Can They Catch Liverpool?
Arsenal have emerged as Liverpool’s closest challengers, extending their unbeaten league run to 15 games under Mikel Arteta. While they trail by seven points, the Gunners have shown impressive form and resilience, giving them hope of cutting the gap.
Their run-in features a crucial clash at Anfield on May 10, which could be a defining moment in the title race. Arsenal fans will be optimistic that their team can push Liverpool all the way, but they must navigate tricky encounters against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle before then.
Key Fixtures:
March 9: Manchester United (A)
April 26: Crystal Palace (H)
May 10: Liverpool (A)
May 25: Southampton (A)
Who Has the Tougher Run-In?
Liverpool’s win over Wolves was crucial given their upcoming fixtures, with back-to-back away games against Aston Villa and Manchester City posing significant challenges. Their clash with Arsenal at Anfield may be the most pivotal fixture of the run-in, as it could either seal their title hopes or reopen the race.
Arsenal, meanwhile, face six teams in the top half of the table in their final 13 games, making their task equally difficult. History shows that teams leading by seven points at this stage rarely falter, but the Gunners will hope to be the exception.
With the Premier League title race entering its final stretch, Liverpool remain in control, but the battle is far from over. Their ability to grind out results—even in challenging performances like the Wolves game—could be the difference between glory and heartbreak come May.
