Wolves could not ‘overcome’ Liverpool’s pressing during Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Anfield, head coach Julen Lopetegui tells the club’s official website.
Almost two years ago, Alisson Becker scored a 93rd minute winner as Jurgen Klopp’s side boosted their Champions League ambitions with a dramatic home win over Midlands opposition. There were no last-gasp heroics needed time around.
But, when Wolverhampton Wanderers came to town, Liverpool showcased the sort of character and resilience required as they look to claw their way back into the promised land of the top four.
A steadily improving Reds side won 2-0 in the end, and it could have been more. Virgil van Dijk converted a cross from the lively Diogo Jota on 73 minutes, Mo Salah tapping home the second soon aftre following a burst of Darwin Nunez acceleration.
The scoreline arguably flatters the visitors too; Wolves mustering just four shots to the hosts 15.
Van Dijk and Salah score as Liverpool ease past Wolves
“We didn’t develop the plan we had in our heads,” Lopetegui sighs. “In the second half, they pushed a lot. We couldn’t keep the rhythm, and they won very clearly.
“We weren’t able to come to the space, we didn’t find the moment to match them. They were very aggressive with the ball, they pressed very good. After, they had big chances and scored, and it was more difficult for us.”
Liverpool, following three wins in four Premier League games, are now up to sixth. The gap between themselves and fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur is closing. Though Liverpool do face the unenviable task of trying to keep Erik ten Hag’s irrepressible Manchester United at arms’ length this weekend.
Wolves, meanwhile, are just three points off the drop zone. Two defeats in three stalling the early momentum they had built up under former Real Madrid boss Lopetegui.
“We didn’t keep the ball, we lost it very fast,” the Spaniard adds. “When you don’t have the ball, you don’t have the possibility to match them with faster players. In the end, the difficult thing was to keep the ball.
“For me, the main mistake was that we lost the ball very fast. Bravo to Liverpool with how they pressed. But we know that (this is what they do) and we were not able to overcome it.”
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