Closing the year 2019. Liverpool grafted their way to an edgy victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Anfield; their 17th consecutive victory at home.
Liverpool looked supremely assured in the first-half, despite needing nearly the entire half to finally break through Wolves’ defence. Controversy will shroud this win but the Reds have extended their unbeaten run to 50 matches. There have been very few results worthy of debate.
Sadio Mane’s 42nd-minute strike finished a sensational sequence, that saw Virgil van Dijk drive a deep vertical pass through the heart of Wolves defence, where Adam Lallana got position and shoulders the ball down for the assist. Referee Anthony Taylor initially called Lallana for handling but saw VAR rightly overrule. It would prove the only goal in the game.
Minutes later, just before the half Wolves looked like they equalised when Pedro Neto finished a cutback cross that eluded an entire backline of Reds. Yet, VAR ruled Jonny was barely offside before crossing the ball for the finish. The goal was rightly overturned and became all anyone could talk about.
Despite all the debate, Liverpool rolls on and prepares to play Sheffield United next time out. Most impressive but will likely get less coverage was the quality of fight in these Reds. They were not to be deterred, regardless of whether Wolves goal stood. They continue to manage themselves and do enough to win.
Here are four findings from the match.
