Liverpool fans would have been hoping for another goal-fest in the Premier League when watching the Reds at Molineux, having witnessed their free-flowing side beat West Ham United 5-2 last time out.
Unfortunately, the first half in the West Midlands was much more low-key than that action-packed affair, with the scoreline reading 0-0 at the half-time interval.
Still, there is at least a second half left to be played for Arne Slot’s men to pick up a precious three points, in their bid to disrupt the top-four party in the Premier League.
Yet, many of the Dutchman’s first-team personnel need to up their game in order not to slip up against the league’s basement side.
Here are ReadLiverpool’s first-half player ratings:
Alisson – 6
Alisson really wasn’t tested an awful lot during a quiet first half, with Wolves failing to hit a single meaningful effort at the Brazilian’s goal.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Frimpong was rewarded with a start in the West Midlands, having made an electric impact from off the substitutes bench against West Ham on the weekend.
He wasn’t quite as lively in that goalless first 45 minutes, but he did attempt one effort at Jose Sa’s goal when bombing forward down the right channel.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Much like the goalkeeper behind him, Konate wasn’t really troubled during the uneventful half that just unfolded.
He did all his basics correctly, though, with a 90% pass accuracy averaged away at Rob Edwards’ hosts.
Virgil Van Dijk – 6
Likewise, Van Dijk has had a comfortable night so far, as he goes about hitting a 99-game milestone for the Reds.
The classy captain did have one big moment to recall in the first half, though, as his over-the-top through ball during the early exchanges of the match nearly set Mohamed Salah free.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Out of the entire backline, Kerkez was the only one who has suffered from a slight off-performance so far.
Failing to complete a single dribble or register a single accurate cross into the danger area, the away side will want a lot more from the Hungarian in the second half.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Alongside Kerkez, Ryan Gravenberch also hasn’t been at the races so far, on his travels to the Premier League’s basement side.
Gravenberch has notably won zero of the six ground duels he’s contested so far, with a rash yellow card coming his way, as well.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Out of the two midfield anchors performing tonight, Mac Allister has had the better half out of the usually reliable duo, with the Argentine notching up a key pass for his troubles.
Unfortunately, far too much of Liverpool’s passing game has been passive, with Mac Allister perhaps adding to his goal back catalogue for the season in the second 45 minutes, having scored against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Salah is in desperate need of a goal himself.
To his dismay, he failed to hit a single effort at Jose Sa’s goal during a first half that saw Liverpool dominate possession, but shy away from a cutting edge in the attacking areas.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Szoboszlai, who is donning a new hairdo for the game at Molineux, has been guilty of a slightly unmemorable runout so far.
He has been on the ball an awful lot, though, and with his track record of popping up with a moment of magic, he might well be key to Liverpool securing a win the more the match drags on.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Unlike Salah, Gakpo has managed to test the opponent’s net with three efforts so far.
The Dutch winger will be hoping he can be a second-half hero again, after he scored Liverpool’s decisive fourth strike of the day, against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers.
Hugo Ekitike – 5
Heading into this tie at the Championship-destined hosts, Liverpool fans would have been banking that Ekitike would bag another goal, under the Molineux floodlights.
He didn’t have many opportunities to add to his 11-goal tally in that first half, though, with an xG of just 0.04 amassed during a lonesome 45-minutes for the isolated centre-forward.
