Below-average Reds enter top four

Liverpool moved, at least temporarily, into the top four of the rankings Premier League with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over a winless Wolves on an emotional day at Anfield.

The first meeting between the two sides since former Liverpool and Wolves striker Diogo Jota was tragically killed in a car crash in July saw Jota’s children accompany Reds captain Virgil van Dijk onto the pitch, as the entire stadium rose to pay their respects to the Portuguese in the 20th minute.

Liverpool looked set to win at a gallop after Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz, the latter scoring his first Premier League goal, put them in command with two goals in as many minutes.

However, Santiago Bueno pulled back six minutes into the second half and Wolves were surprisingly the more threatening team thereafter.

Liverpool move ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea in the top four ahead of the Blues’ clash with Aston Villa, although second-half performance will be a major concern for Arne Slot after their defensive frailties were exposed by a team who still have just two points to their name.

Gravenberch gives Liverpool the lead

A quick and unsurprising start from the hosts saw Hugo Ekitike hit the post after being played in by Wirtz, although Liverpool then worked in their efforts to break down Wolves.

Gravenberch made the breakthrough in the 41st minute, finding the net with a powerful low shot following the withdrawal of Jérémie Frimpong.

And a minute later, Wirtz gave the Wolves a mountain to climb.

Wirtz ends his wait

Wirtz’s first season with Liverpool was defined by frustration in his efforts to justify his £100million price tag, but he made no mistake when presented with a golden chance to score in the Premier League for the first time, pushing under Jose Sa after latching onto Ekitike’s ball.

Yet familiar failures gave Wolves hope soon after the second half restarted when Bueno turned into an empty net, Liverpool once again undone by a free kick as they were punished for failing to clear a corner.

Curtis Jones forced Sa into a low save at the other end, but in reality it was Wolves who looked far and away the most likely to score the fourth goal of the game.

Tolu Arokodare was unmarked but could only head over Jackson Tchatchoua’s delivery, and another opportunity for Wolves to claim a share of the spoils came when Conor Bradley produced a crucial intervention to prevent Jhon Arias tapping Jorgen Strand Larsen’s ball in front of goal.

The fact that such defensive feats were necessary against a Wolves side destined for relegation will do little to allay doubts about Liverpool as they aim to salvage a largely disappointing second season under Arne Slot.