Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Reds restore seven-point title lead despite second-half scare at Anfield | OneFootball

Reds respond to Arsenal’s win at Leicester but Arne Slot will be concerned by nervy second-half display in which they did not have a shot

Premier League leaders Liverpool restored their seven-point lead over Arsenal in the title race with a nervy 2-1 win over Wolves.

The Reds looked to be cruising at Anfield on Sunday as they led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Luis Diaz’s first goal of 2025 and a Mohamed Salah penalty awarded for Jose Sa’s foul on Diaz, but they failed to register a single shot after the interval and were left holding on in the closing stages after Matheus Cunha’s fantastic strike set up a grandstand finish.

Per Opta Sports, it is the first time on record - since 2003/04 - that Liverpool have not attempted a single shot in a half of Premier League football at Anfield.

Salah had a second goal ruled out for offside early in the second half, while a second Liverpool penalty award was then overturned after Diogo Jota was adjudged to have initiated contact with a sliding Emmanuel Agbadou inside the box.

Wolves pressed for a late equaliser after a much-improved display after the break, but could not find that elusive second goal as Alisson saved from new signing Marshall Munetsi, who was also prevented from turning in fellow substitute Tommy Doyle’s late cross from close range after a vital last-ditch intervention from Jarell Quansah, sent on at half-time after Ibrahima Konate had been very fortunate to avoid a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on the dangerous Cunha.

While Liverpool clung on to get the victory in the end, the manner of their second-half performance - following on from the seismic FA Cup upset at Plymouth and last-gasp draw with Everton - will still be a concern for manager Arne Slot, who was on the touchline as usual on Sunday despite his post-match sending off in the midweek Merseyside derby mayhem as he awaits to learn his punishment after being charged by the Football Association (FA) on Friday along with assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

Liverpool nevertheless will head into a potentially tough midweek trip to Aston Villa with that seven-point lead at the top-flight summit restored after Mikel Merino’s late heroics off the bench had seen nearest title rivals Arsenal move back within four with a hard-fought 2-0 win at struggling Leicester on Saturday.

Wolves remain 17th and only two points above the relegation zone despite a plucky second-half effort at Anfield, having seen their run of wins across all competitions end at two.

A league and cup double-header against high-flying Bournemouth is sandwiched between a visit of Fulham to Molineux, with more key games on the horizon against the likes of Everton, Southampton and Ipswich.