Liverpool 2-0 Wolves: Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah boost top-four hopes for Jurgen Klopp’s side

Liverpool moved within six points of the Champions League places with a 2-0 victory over Wolves in the Premier League.

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah scored in quick succession to secure the win and ensure Liverpool enter Sunday’s derby against Manchester United on a positive note.

Van Dijk’s goal came when he had a second header from a free-kick – thanks to good work from ex-Wolves man Diogo Jota – while Salah guided a cross home with his thigh four minutes later to double the advantage.

Darwin Nunez had earlier had a goal disallowed after the referee observed a Jota foul on the pitch-side monitor, while Liverpool were perhaps fortunate there was no such review after Fabinho was booked for a studs-first tackle.

Before Liverpool brought more energy after the break, the best chances of an underwhelming first half both fell to Harvey Elliott via Nunez but he could not capitalise, first heading wide when unmarked and then scuffing a shot which allowed the goalkeeper to tip the ball round the post.

Wolves offered little in an attacking capacity and the loss means they remain three points above the relegation zone.

TALKING POINT – Liverpool stay within sight of top four

Finishing in the top four is essential if this season is not to be a disaster for Liverpool – who are already out of two domestic cups and are almost certainly destined to exit the Champions League at the last 16 as well – so these are three vital points.

Their main rivals for the top four, Newcastle and Tottenham, have both wobbled recently, while the Reds have quietly come into form in the league, albeit amid the aforementioned cup woes.

Liverpool have three wins in their last four in the league and had key players such as Nunez and Ibrahima Konate back tonight, so things are trending in the right direction. Given three of their next five league opponents are the two Manchester clubs and league-leading Arsenal, they better be. There are bigger tests to come but tonight was an important one to get out of the way.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Van Dijk came up big on what had been a frustrating night for Liverpool up to that point. On top of scoring, the Liverpool captain also kept Wolves’ frontline quiet and never looked troubled.

PLAYER RATINGS

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Konate 6, Van Dijk 8, Tsimikas 7, Fabinho 5, Bajcetic 6, Elliott 6, Salah 7, Nunez 7, Jota 6. Subs: Gakpo 6, Henderson 6, Firminho n/a, Milner n/a.

Wolves: Sa 7, Semedo 6, Dawson 7, Kilman 7, Bueno 6, Lemina 6, Neves, Moutinho 5, Sarabia 4, Nunes 5, Jimenez 4. Subs: Ait-Nouri 6, Traore 4, Gomes 5, Podence 5, Costa n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

39′ ELLIOTT WASTES GREAT CHANCE – Nunez gets to the byline and picks out Elliott, eight yards from goal, but the free header is off-target.

45+2′ ELLIOTT DENIED – Nunez again sets up Elliott, this time with a nice lay-off, and Elliott’s scuffed shot calls Sa into action. Sa is up to it, tipping the ball round the post.

59′ KILMAN TO THE RESCUE – A blocked pass ricochets towards the path of Jota, who could be through on goal, but Kilman makes a super sliding intervention to deny the ex-Wolves man.

66′ NUNEZ GOAL DISALLOWED – Following a Jota run the ball falls to Nunez, who shows admirable composure to fire home, but the VAR needs to have a look. Wolves feel Kilman was tripped by Jota, preventing him from being able to clear, and after taking a look on the pitch-side monitor the referee concurs.

73′ VAN DIJK GIVES LIVERPOOL LEAD – Van Dijk nods Liverpool ahead from close range! The Dutchman’s initial header is saved, but Jota sends the rebound back in and the Liverpool captain is there to nod home.

77′ SALAH MAKES IT TWO – Salah meets a Tsimikas cross with his thigh and Liverpool have a two-goal lead!

KEY STATS

• Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in a row in the Premier League.
• Salah has now scored 20 goals for Liverpool in six consecutive seasons.