With about 10 minutes left to play at Anfield, Andy Robertson turned to the Kop and gestured for the fans to calm down. It was that sort of afternoon.
The place was riddled with anxiety, probably a delayed-onset symptom of the Goodison Park hangover after Liverpool contrived to toss away a lead in the 98th minute on Wednesday.
On the pitch, the players did not look too much calmer than those on the terraces. Their second-half performance was pockmarked by loose passes and half-hearted challenges, a lackadaisical mood spreading through the team.
If Wolves had a bit more quality about them – aside from Matheus Cunha they never really looked close to scoring – they would have got a point if not more. Liverpool invited them forward but they, like the home team, looked overcome with nerves and could not threaten.
This was Liverpool’s worst performance of the season, especially in the second half. They had zero shots and mustered an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.11 after the break. On another day, their sloppiness would have been punished.
But it was not and on they go, Arne Slot’s men another game closer to the Premier League title. Eleven wins from 13 guarantees it, with that home clash against Arsenal on May 10 looking like a possible season-decider if the Gunners keep up the pace.
Liverpool hobbled to 2-1 win over Wolves and it was arguably their worst showing this season
That doesn’t matter, though – aspiring title-winners can’t win every match in an elegant way
Wolves would have come away with at least a point if they had more quality about them
The game-changer here, like it has been so often this season, was Mohamed Salah, who scored the decisive second here. That is now 28 goals for the season for the 32-year-old, still the Premier League’s ‘Egyptian king’ despite hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush’s best efforts.
Salah played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s opener and then dispatched his spot-kick in a prolific manner for 2-0. He had the ball in the net for a Reds third but was narrowly offside after a trademark left-footed finish from the right-hand corner of the box.
‘It is so difficult to win a game of football – people say “you have Mo Salah, what are you talking about?”,’ said Slot. ‘No, it is so difficult to win every three days so that is why this win is an important one going into a big week where we hope we can play better.’
Judging from Slot’s post-match reaction, even though he would not admit it out loud, this was the sort of win all title winners grind out. You cannot triumph with beauty every week – and sometimes even the best teams need to win ugly. That is what Liverpool did here.
‘When they scored, the players get nervous, the crowd gets nervous,’ said Robertson. ‘Of course that is only natural. It’s a massive win for us and another game down.’
Slot needed his supporting cast here with many far from their best level. Defender Ibrahima Konate had to be hooked at half-time as he was on a yellow card and perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch, while many others repeatedly made mistakes.
As Frenchman Konate went off, Jarell Quansah came on and barely put a foot wrong, with one particular interception at 2-1 springing to mind. The young Englishman dangled a leg out and, had he not, the game may well have ended 2-2.
It was a similar story for fellow substitute Wataru Endo, who has been largely limited to cameos this season. The Japan captain may not be as adept in possession as Slot may demand from his midfielders but he is a warrior and loves getting stuck into challenges.
Anfield was riddled with anxiety and Andy Robertson encouraged the crowd to calm down
Arne Slot admitted it is ‘difficult to win every three days’, and the upcoming schedule demands that
Mohamed Salah was once again the difference-maker, bagging his 28th goal of the season
Liverpool’s supporting cast put in a good shift, including Jarell Quansah on a rare league outing
Conor Bradley was also excellent when he replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Northern Irishman putting his body on the line off the ball and making some important gallops down the right flank with it to earn his team-mates some respite.
This week could be the one we cite in May when the trophies and medals are handed out, with Liverpool now going to Aston Villa and Manchester City on Wednesday and Sunday respectively, before hosting Newcastle three days after their trip to the Etihad Stadium.
‘You can never breathe in this competition,’ said Slot. ‘I saw Arsenal’s 15-game unbeaten run and the gap has always been the same so that shows that we do. If you want to compete for something special then you have to win a lot of games in this league.’
He is not wrong. To win this title, you do have to win a lot of games. Not all of them can be easy watches. This one certainly was not but this ugly victory counts all the same.
