Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points with a tense 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. First-half goals from Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah, who converted a penalty, secured the win for the league leaders. However, they had to withstand pressure after Matheus Cunha pulled one back for Wolves in the second half.
With this result, Liverpool maintained their advantage over Arsenal, who had temporarily closed the gap with a Saturday win over Leicester City, courtesy of Mikel Merino’s late double. Arne Slot’s side now faces a crucial week, with away fixtures against Aston Villa on Wednesday and Manchester City on Sunday, both pivotal to their title aspirations.
The Liverpool ECHO provided its usual match coverage, including player ratings, post-match analysis, and expert verdicts. National media reporters also weighed in on the game.
Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail described the anxious atmosphere at Anfield, noting that even Andy Robertson tried to calm the fans in the closing minutes. Liverpool’s second-half display was riddled with misplaced passes and nervous play, allowing Wolves opportunities, though they lacked the cutting edge to capitalize. He called it Liverpool’s worst performance of the season, emphasizing that their sloppiness could have been costly on another day. Nevertheless, they move closer to the title, needing 11 more wins from 13 games to secure it, with a potential decider against Arsenal looming on May 10.
Paul Joyce of The Times highlighted that, at this stage of the season, results matter more than performance. He pointed out that while Liverpool still leads the table, they appear less assured in their play. The match, which seemed straightforward on paper, turned into a nervy affair, evoking memories of their recent late collapse against Everton. Key defensive moments, such as Jarell Quansah’s late intervention and Virgil van Dijk’s crucial block, defined the game as much as their goals.
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph suggested this could be one of the most nerve-wracking title races ever, predicting both Liverpool and Arsenal might struggle with the pressure as May approaches. He humorously remarked that if Liverpool’s anxiety-filled performance against Wolves is any indication, the Premier League might as well seek sponsorship from Andrex—not just for the emotions of the title race, but for the inevitable tears of the runners-up.
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