PLAYER RATINGS: WOLVES 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool went away to Wolves and netted a late winning goal through Divock Origi to capitalise on Chelsea’s loss at West Ham. The Reds were frustrated for large stretches of the game by a well drilled Wolves side and were also guilty of missing some gilt edged chances. Read on for player ratings from a pulsating match.

Alisson – 7

Quick off his line to cut out a dangerous Ait-Nouri cross on the stroke of halftime with Traore lurking. Wasn’t troubled much aside that. His distribution was solid and it seems he’s put last season’s mishaps behind him. Another clean sheet.

Alexander-Arnold – 7.5

Not at his marauding best today but still dangerous enough when he got on the ball. Put one on Jota’s head at the backpost but Diogo headed wide. Skinned by Ait-Nouri on the stroke of halftime. Bailed out a rare Van Dijk error with an excellent recovery on Hwang. Coped well with Hwang all game. Took some dangerous set pieces.

Matip – 8.5

His one on one defending is top class, very rarely gets beaten. Strode forward with the ball on a number of occasions to create overloads in attack. He successfully dribbled his way through midfield all the way to the edge of their box at times but the final pass deserted him. Rock solid at the back.

Van Dijk – 7

A rare shaky day at the office for the big man as he inexplicably coughed up possession to Adama Traore, who in turn found Hwang in the box. Passed one straight out late on too. Won his headers against Jimenez though and contributed to the winning goal with a trademark 60 yard diagonal to Salah.

Robertson – 7

Dealt with Adama’s pace as well as he could have, ably supported by Thiago. He whipped a ball across the face of goal and it was screaming to be tapped home but somehow Saiss cleared before Salah got to it. Hit too many crosses straight at Semedo, but was always an outlet down that left side. Should have gone for goal when a loose ball fell to him in the box but he curiously tried to cross.

Fabinho – 8

He was excellent for most of the game, nipping in to steal loose balls and halt attacks. Took out Adama Traore when he was isolated with him on the counter. The best kind of yellow to take for the team. His lack of pace saw him fail to get on a few passes but he had a good game. Won a header to set up a late chance for Mané.

Henderson – 6

Not at the levels he set in the derby. The quality in the final third was lacking. His performance was summed up when he run into Trent to ruin a good opening. He worked hard though, covering well in midfield and busting a gut to get on the outside of Trent everytime on the right wing.

Thiago – 9

He was a great help for Robertson in dealing with the threat of Adama. Marshalled him really well on the counter and was always in and around him to nip the ball away. He played some incredible passes that should have led to goals but Trent blazed over from close range from one such pass. Was always on hand to pick the ball up from the centre backs and get us up the pitch. Probably our best starter.

Salah – 7

Well marked by the young Ait-Nouri. His touch and final pass wasn’t quite at it’s usual levels. Manufactured a late chance for himself with an excellent roll of his man but his final shot was weak. Chipper one lovely ball through to Mané late on. It looked to be a frustrating night but he came up with a huge moment in the 94th minute. Fantastic first touch to beat Hoever and that searing turn of pace, before a cut back for Origi. Crucial assist.

Jota – 6

Was roundly booed by the home crowd and maybe that got to him a bit. His touch and passing was shocking at times. Jota has a tendency to look poor on the ball but always pops up with a goal. It didn’t happen today after an unexplainable miss. With two defenders on the goalline and the keeper in no man’s land, Jota went for power instead of precision and just blasted straight into the midriff of Coady. Poor miss.

Mané – 6

Extremely quiet first half. Got into it more in the second. Created a few openings but was also frustrating at times when he stood Semedo up and just blasted his cross straight at him. Got a huge chance with time running out and he blasted it with his right towards the keeper’s near post. It was a brilliant save by Sa but a player of Mané’s quality should be scoring that. Messed up another chance before that with a poor first touch allowing Sa to smother.

Substitutes

Origi – 10

A perhaps surprising choice by the manager with 25 minutes on the clock but Divock came on for Henderson and got involved straightaway. He spearheaded the attack and caused them a few problems. He spun his man on the edge of the box but swiped his shot well wide. Then in the 94th minute he took a touch to control Salah’s cutback and slam it past Sa and the sliding Saiss and Coady on the swivel. Eternally the man for the big occasion.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A

Didn’t really see much of the ball. Came on for Jota and played behind Origi in the number ten role. Not enough time to get in and amongst it. Not involved much.

Milner – N/A

On for Salah after the goal went in, presumably to waste time. Cleared one loose ball into row Z for the final kick of the game. Is right.

Jurgen Klopp

Went with the same XI that dismissed Everton on Wednesday night. It was a very conservative approach as he was wary of committing top many bodies forward with Traore’s pace on the counter. To his credit, he changed shape early in the second half with Origi coming on. That change to a 4-2-3-1 worked as we got more bodies in and around the box and Origi of course delivered at the end. The celebrations on the touchline told you how important this was.