“Enough is enough!” – Van Dijk vents frustration as Liverpool’s weakness shows again vs Wolves

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk cut a frustrated figure after the Reds once again saw their biggest flaw exposed during their narrow victory over Wolves. Despite securing a vital 2-1 win at Anfield, familiar defensive issues resurfaced, slightly overshadowing the result.

Florian Wirtz was the hero on the day, finally scoring his first Premier League goal after 17 appearances. The club-record summer signing struck Liverpool’s decisive second goal after Ryan Gravenberch had opened the scoring, ensuring the champions claimed all three points in their final match of 2025. Wolves threatened a comeback when they pulled one back early in the second half, but Liverpool held on.

Wirtz’s start to life in England had been difficult following his high-profile move from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German playmaker enduring a 16-game league goal drought. His long-awaited breakthrough proved crucial, and head coach Arne Slot was pleased with more than just the goal. Speaking to Sky Sports, Slot praised Wirtz’s overall contribution, highlighting his creativity, work rate and influence on the team’s attacking play, insisting many more goals will follow.

The midfielder himself was delighted, admitting the moment was special in front of the Anfield crowd. Wirtz said he always believed the goal would come, even though he wished it had arrived sooner. He also acknowledged Liverpool’s strong first-half display, while expressing concern about how the team allowed Wolves back into the contest late on, stressing the need for improvement if the Reds want to stay at the top of the table.

Defensively, Liverpool’s struggles this season continued, with the side managing just five clean sheets from 18 matches. Against Wolves, they once again conceded from a set-piece — a recurring problem that has troubled the champions throughout the campaign.

Van Dijk did not hide his disappointment, admitting that while Liverpool have defended many set-pieces well, conceding repeatedly from such situations is unacceptable. He explained that the issue often lies not in the initial clearance but in the second phase, which has repeatedly punished the team. The skipper stressed the need for more analysis, training and repetition to resolve the problem.

Before kick-off, Anfield witnessed an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota, as his sons Dinis and Duarte walked out with the mascots. It marked Liverpool’s first meeting with Wolves since Jota’s tragic death in a car accident in Spain in July. The Portuguese forward had previously spent three seasons at Wolves before joining Liverpool in 2020, where he went on to win three major trophies.

Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, later expressed her gratitude on social media, thanking the club and supporters for their compassion, respect and unwavering support during an incredibly painful period for her family.