On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Anfield, Liverpool continued their resurgence with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, solidifying their place in the Premier League’s top five and extending their unbeaten streak to six matches. The December 27 clash saw the Reds overcome a spirited, if beleaguered, Wolves side still searching for their first win of the campaign, as Arne Slot’s squad capitalized on home advantage and timely goals to edge past their struggling visitors.
The stakes coming into this match couldn’t have been clearer. Liverpool, fresh off a string of positive results including a 2-1 triumph over Tottenham, were eager to keep momentum rolling and pile pressure on the teams above them in the table. Slot’s men had climbed to fifth with 29 points, unbeaten in their previous five league outings, and aimed to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions. Wolves, meanwhile, were mired in a nightmare run: ten consecutive Premier League defeats, just two points from 17 matches, and a daunting 16-point gap from safety. For Gary O’Neil’s side, the trip to Anfield loomed as another stern test in a season that’s gone from bad to worse.
The confirmed line-ups reflected both teams’ intentions. Liverpool started with Alisson in goal, a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. The midfield trio featured Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Alexis Mac Allister, while Florian Wirtz, Federico Chiesa, and Hugo Ekitiké formed a dynamic attack. Wolves countered with José Sá between the sticks, a defensive unit of Yerson Mosquera, Matt Doherty, Ladislav Krejcí, Hugo Bueno, and David Møller Wolfe, and a midfield anchored by João Gomes, André, and Mateus Mané. Jørgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-Chan led the line for the visitors.
From the first whistle, Liverpool asserted themselves, pressing high and probing for openings. The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when Jeremie Frimpong surged forward, threading a pinpoint pass to Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder made no mistake, slotting a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner. The Anfield faithful erupted, sensing their team’s confidence growing with every touch.
Wolves, to their credit, responded with grit. Mateus Mané tested Alisson from distance, and Tolu Arokodare’s aerial presence caused the odd scare, but the final touch eluded the visitors. Liverpool, meanwhile, remained clinical. Just before halftime, a lightning-fast counter saw Hugo Ekitiké slip a clever through ball to Florian Wirtz, who rifled home from close range to double the lead. The German’s right-footed strike to the center of the goal put Liverpool firmly in command as the teams headed down the tunnel with the hosts leading 2-0.
As the second half began, Wolves looked determined to claw their way back. Injuries, however, disrupted their rhythm—Yerson Mosquera was forced off, replaced by Jhon Arias, while Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitiké also limped off later in the match. The visitors pressed forward, earning a series of corners and free kicks, but Liverpool’s defense, marshaled by Van Dijk and Konaté, stood tall. Alisson produced a pair of crucial saves, denying Mateus Mané and Tolu Arokodare to preserve the two-goal cushion.
The match’s tempo shifted in the final 20 minutes as fatigue and substitutions introduced fresh legs and new dynamics. Cody Gakpo and Trey Nyoni entered for Liverpool, while Wolves shuffled their pack with Jackson Tchatchoua, David Møller Wolfe, and Jørgen Strand Larsen all getting a run. The fourth official signaled five minutes of added time, and Wolves threw everything forward in a desperate bid to salvage a result.
Their persistence paid off, albeit too late to change the outcome. In the dying moments, Santiago Bueno pounced on a loose ball following a corner, smashing a right-footed shot from close range into the roof of the net. The goal, coming after a period of sustained Wolves pressure, gave the visitors a glimmer of hope and ensured a nervy finish for the Anfield crowd. But Liverpool’s composure saw them through, and the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for the Reds.
“It was a tough match, but we showed character,” said Liverpool head coach Arne Slot after the game, according to post-match reports. “The boys kept their heads and managed the game well, even when Wolves pushed late on.” The victory keeps Liverpool firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification and offers further evidence of their growing cohesion under Slot’s stewardship.
For Wolves, the result extends a dismal run that now stands at eleven straight defeats in all competitions. Injuries to key players like Mosquera only compound the misery, and with just two points from 18 matches, the threat of relegation looms large. “We need to stick together and keep fighting,” said Wolves captain João Gomes. “It’s a difficult period, but we believe we can turn things around.”
The match was not available live on UK television due to the traditional Saturday 3 p.m. blackout, but highlights were widely accessible on Sky Sports and BBC’s Match of the Day later in the evening. Fans worldwide could catch the drama on streaming platforms, with many tuning in to see whether Liverpool could maintain their recent form and if Wolves might finally snap their losing streak.
Betting odds had heavily favored Liverpool, with most pundits predicting a comfortable win for the home side—some even forecasting a 4-0 rout. Yet, as so often in the Premier League, the reality proved more competitive, with Wolves showing late resilience and Liverpool having to dig deep to secure all three points.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s victory keeps them within striking distance of the league’s elite, while Wolves face an uphill battle to avoid one of the worst finishes in their Premier League history. Injuries, lack of form, and a daunting fixture list make the road ahead treacherous for O’Neil’s men, but the fight goes on. For the Reds, confidence is building, and the Anfield faithful will hope this latest win is another step toward a return to the summit of English football.
As the dust settles on another dramatic afternoon, Liverpool’s march up the table continues, while Wolves are left searching for answers. The Premier League, as ever, delivers its share of twists, turns, and talking points—just the way fans like it.
