Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: “Just as big as all the other ones but this one is big. We needed to fight and we needed Alisson. In a season where you want to achieve something, you need to have wins like this as well. Wins like this should also be included where you want to achieve something.
“It’s never the gameplan never to create anything at all. We did have a goal offside and a penalty overturned. We were by far a goal threat in the second half. Wolves took a lot of risks. The team felt today to bring this win over the line, defending was more important than attacking. if this is what it takes to win a game then I’m happy the players could do that again.
“Fatigue comes from running a lot and a bit of mental fatigue a lot. We were mentally tested today. We thought we’d scored a third and then a penalty for the third but both were correct from the referee. Maybe it did lead to us being a bit tired. I did see for the first time this season that players were more tired than they have been.
“It wasn’t the plan that Cody Gakpo got injured because Diaz played against Plymouth. He showed great character by being really important with the two goals and his work rate.
“You can never breathe in this competition. I saw Arsenal’s 15-game unbeaten run and the gap has always been the same so that shows that we do. If you want to compete for something special then you have to win a lot of games in this league.
On his FA charge: “I’ve said before the game as it is an ongoing process, it is not smart to talk about it. We’ve seen the comments from the referee and now we can say our part. It’s down to a panel to decide if I get a ban.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to MOTD: “It was mentally difficult the second half because we thought we scored the third, then thought we got a penalty, both situations were correctly handed by the referee.
“They got better and better, we got worse and worse. We had to show a different mentality which we did and got it over the line.
“In a season like this we have played so many great games, but in a season you want to win something you have to win the difficult ones as well when you are not playing your best. We were so close on Wednesday, this time we did survive.
“If you want to achieve something it is not only about bringing the ball out from the back or Mo scoring goals, it is also about defending.
“If you look at the last few seasons it has mostly been a battle between two teams. As things stand now it mostly looks like between us and Arsenal. I believe they have a 15-point game unbeaten run and I think at the start of that we were seven points clear of them and we still are now. So it tells you how well they are doing but also how well we are doing.”
Today was always going to be tense, after the last few days. It was only about the three points and re-establishing that seven point lead. It’s been a frantic week for the club, but they’ve got through it unbeaten and still holding that commanding lead at the top. Liverpool got the job done today.
George, Barrow
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira speaking to Sky Sports: “I’m frustrated because our first half was not good. I think we showed a lot of respect to them and we cannot play like this. We must play our game. At half-time, I asked the team to press them in our way and we did a fantastic second half. The second goal was not possible but I think we deserve it.
“The first half was a lot of respect, too much respect. We cannot play football this way. We like to press high and to create chances, have the ball and play with courage.
“Everything I can say now will not change the decision. I have my opinion but I keep it to myself. It is better not to speak about referees.
“Second yellow card, maybe. It would be different but it is what it is. I am not a referee. I am very happy, very proud of my players for what we did in the second half. I don’t care if it’s Liverpool or another team, it’s about my team. I want to see the courage to play. Next time we need to realise that we have quality and we need to play with it.
“Second half was fantastic, I remember Liverpool with a lot of difficulties to stop us.”
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Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to MOTD: “We must play the first half as we played the second half, this is what I want to see in my team – the personality, courage and identity – all what I saw in the second half.
“Wolves woke up at half time and played a game not afraid, to play, press and create problems. Even the best players in the world, if you press them they make mistakes. This what we need to do in the future, not in one half but in two halves. Take the risks, play with courage and in our way to play and then I don’t care about the result.
“I don’t care about the team on the other side, if it is Liverpool or Chelsea, I don’t care, I just focus on my team.”
On if Konate should have been sent off: “I am not the referee but yes for me. What I say now will not change anything but in my opinion the second yellow card should be shown.”
Not sure the stats tell a full story here at all. Liverpool had a goal disallowed and penalty over turned so Wolves can count themselves lucky to still have been in it. However, they had Liverpool penned back. Sometimes as champions elect you have to defend a game and that they did.
Dom
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
What a challenge it was. So vital Jarell Quansah makes that.
They had to dig deep Liverpool. That will have taken a lot out of this Liverpool team.
They realise how close they have been taken by Wolves.
Liverpool do look tried, but they have played a lot of games. It’s going to be interesting to see how they fare in the next few weeks.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, speaking to MOTD: “We’d love to dominate for the full 90 minutes but it is the Premier League and Wolves can punish you and create dangerous moments against you. It says a lot we kept fighting and kept going and got the three points.
“Today showed at times that when we have the ball you can exploit it as well. Cunha was a danger man for them today we had to be aware of. Unfortunately he scored but we kept them to that.
“I definitely give them credit the way they went one v one most of the times and how they found the free man between the lines.
“At times we were sloppy as well and we couldn’t keep the ball as well as we can at times.”
Reuters
Hard-fought win for Liverpool, it’s games like this that are so crucial in the title race. We simply had to get three points, well done the Reds!
Dalto
Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi, speaking to Sky Sports: “We tried our best. The coach made some changes to put them under pressure, we created a lot of chances and made them uncomfortable.
“In the first half we didn’t really cause them a lot of problems but the second half was the identity of the team, this is what the coach wants. This is something we have to keep doing.”
On his debut: “As you get more chances and opportunities it is good for you as a player but now it is up to me to do my part.
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
So many questions were asked of Liverpool.
There was a frailty in the second half. The substitutions from Vitor Pereira were impressive as they got themselves back into it.
Liverpool have managed to just get themselves across the line.
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Tense, timid and nervous. Who cares? The facts are, seven points clear and 13 games to go – YNWA!
Andy
We will have all the reaction from that game here but if you are after build-up and coverage of Tottenham versus Manchester United then head here.
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
A hard-fought victory for Liverpool.
This has been such a tough afternoon for them.
All over and relief around Anfield!
Liverpool hang on to take three important points. They are seven clear at the top once more.
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Wataru Endo wins a free-kick and there’s a roar of relief from the home fans. We’re into the sixth of six minutes added on.
Everton’s equaliser came in the 98th minute on Wednesday. We’re into the 95th minute now…
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
The roar for the goalkick, that tells you where we are. Title run-in territory.
Reuters
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
The nerves around Anfield since Wolves got that goal back have been big.
You can sense it on the bench as well.
This is the most edgy I’ve seen Liverpool for some time. They are a couple of minutes away from finishing the second half without an attempt on goal. They won’t care about that though, so long as they hold on for three points.
Getty Images
Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist
Mohamed Salah continued his hot scoring streak as a nervy Liverpool dispatched Wolves to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Egypt forward converted from the penalty spot to make it five goals in four league games with boss Arne Slot watching on from the bench.
Reds boss Slot was given a red card in the aftermath of Liverpool’s Merseyside derby draw with Everton but the Dutchman has until Wednesday to respond to a Football Association charge.
Putting Everton’s 98th-minute mid-week equaliser behind them, the Reds started well at Anfield and opened the scoring after 15 minutes thanks to the determination of Luis Diaz.
The Colombia forward ended a run of 10 games without a goal as he bundled the ball over the line after Salah’s pass was deflected in the box by Wolves defender Toti Gomes.
Twenty two minutes later, referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot as Diaz was felled in the box by Wolves keeper Jose Sa and Salah slotted down the middle for his 23rd league goal of the campaign.
The game looked set to be a routine Liverpool win at the break but Wolves striker Matheus Cunha made it anything but as he beautifully curled home his 12th league goal of the season in the 67th minute – meaning Slot’s side are without a home clean sheet since 1 December.
On the hour mark, Liverpool were initially awarded another spot-kick after Emmanuel Agbadou was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Jota, but the decision was overturned after a video assistant referee review showed there was no contact on the Portugal forward.
Vitor Pereira’s side missed huge chances in the second half with debutant Marshall Munetsi drawing an excellent one-on-one save out of Alisson before Joao Gomes worked space brilliantly but fired his attempt over the top.
There was a nervousness around Anfield as Wolves pushed for an equaliser late on but Liverpool held on to reinstate their seven-point lead at the summit.
Three points to start a daunting week
After the unsavoury events of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, there were thoughts that Everton’s 98th-minute equaliser might have rattled Liverpool in their hunt for a 20th league title.
However, that did not prove to be the case initially with the hosts looking as determined as ever as they powered into a 1-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes through Diaz’s determination.
With Salah doubling the lead from the penalty spot before half-time, the Reds could start to look towards a daunting week coming up.
Liverpool held on at times during the second half after a brilliant Wolves display but three points is all that matters to Slot’s men at this stage of the season.
A Premier League trip to Villa Park awaits Liverpool on Wednesday night, with the fixture brought forward as a result of the Reds reaching the Carabao Cup final.
Four days after taking on Unai Emery’s Champions League-chasing Villa, Liverpool must take on old foes Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the league.
Despite the up-and-down form of defending champions City this season, they are still more than capable of putting in a performance worthy of beating any side in Europe.
If the Reds were to come through this next week with maximum points, then it would be huge boost to their title credentials.
Positives to take for Wolves
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Despite leaving Anfield with no points to aid them in their relegation scrap, Wolves boss Pereira can be pleased with the performance his side put in against the league leaders.
Wolves were unfortunate that a deflection fell kindly for Diaz – leading to the opening goal – before the Colombian was fouled for a penalty.
Pereira’s side battled hard in the second half and had the better of it for large periods after forcing Alisson into a great save to keep out Muneti before Gomes fired over in space.
Cunha, fresh off signing a new deal at Molineux, dummied to go on his right foot before using his left to whip a curling effort in at Alisson’s far post to stun the Anfield crowd.
Wolves may feel disappointed to not be leaving Merseyside with a point but they pushed Slot’s side harder than many sides have this campaign.
Although they sit just two points above Ipswich Town in 18th place, Wolves can take plenty of positives heading into their next league match at Bournemouth.
The Player Rater cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.
Player of the match
Matheus Cunha
7.12
1 Alisson Becker
7.05
11 Mohamed Salah
7.03
4 V. van Dijk
6.84
7 L. Díaz
6.67
8 D. Szoboszlai
6.63
84 C. Bradley
6.57
38 R. Gravenberch
6.46
78 J. Quansah
6.46
3 W. Endō
6.44
10 A. Mac Allister
6.40
26 A. Robertson
6.24
20 Diogo Jota
6.12
5 I. Konaté
5.86
66 T. Alexander-Arnold
5.44
9 D. Núñez
5.37
10 Matheus Cunha
7.12
3 R. Aït-Nouri
6.03
27 J. Bellegarde
5.86
8 João Gomes
5.83
22 Nélson Semedo
5.78
24 Toti Gomes
5.73
12 E. Agbadou
5.71
2 M. Doherty
5.69
4 S. Bueno
5.60
7 André
5.55
5 M. Munetsi
5.54
1 José Sá
5.54
21 Pablo Sarabia
5.51
20 T. Doyle
5.50
29 Gonçalo Guedes
5.42
37 Pedro Lima
5.38
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
