Liverpool entered the Festive Fixture List with really only one goal in mind: pick up maximum points. After their 2-1 victory over Wolves at Anfield, they’re two-for-two on this mission as they make it four wins in a row and 7 matches unbeaten. Let’s take a closer look, then, at what as a pretty thorough victory at Anfield.
Winners and Losers
Winners
Liverpool’s Attack This would seem obvious given the result of the match, but this was perhaps the most encouraging performance by the squad in some time. It was not a match with
a ton of chances, mind you – Opta’s xG model had Liverpool at 1.56 xG over the 90 minutes. But that first 45 minutes was perhaps the most composed *and* clinical that I’ve seen this iteration of Liverpool be. It bodes well not because Wolves are a stout defensive side, but precisely because this style of defending is 1) what Liverpool will most often face and b) have often left Arne Slot’s side looking uncomfortable in the best of times to looking outright inept at others. Liverpool looked composed, comfortable, patient. And, at times during that first half, truly dominant.
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool’s Man of the Match, for me, finally got his goal to cap a run of form that has long deserved that. According to the stats, the creative engine had 3 key passes to go along with his goal. And, in truth, he probably should have had an assist after playing in Alexis Mac Allister, who opted to dummy the ball instead of receiving it. It’s been a long road for the German attacker, but the Kop is finally seeing shades of the talent that led Bayern Munich to being rather miffed they’d missed out on him. He also seems to have a much better understanding with Milos Kerkez when out on the left, which added to a more aesthetically pleasing set of passing patterns than I’ve seen with Cody Gakpo out on the wing.
Losers
Clean Sheets
Liverpool once more made it a bit harder on themselves than they needed by conceding on a set piece. I can’t really fault the players too much – Wolves 6’6” striker Tolu Arokodare simply beat folks to initial cross and Alisson Becker did well to simply keep it out. Unfortunately, the ball fell to Wolves defender, Santiago Bueno, who couldn’t miss from point-blank range. It would have been nice to take home a clean sheet, but given the relative lack of creativity (approximately three-quarters of Wolves’ xG came from the Bueno goal) from Wolves, I’ll take looking generally more solid and conceding one as a step in the right direction.
Talking Tactics
I don’t know where to put this because I think it warrants more discussion and a deeper dive into previous matches, but given how much better Liverpool looked in their base offensive formation without necessarily looking like they’d changed anything in relation to, say, the tempo of passes, I’m starting to wonder if Mohamed Salah’s benching is looking more and more warranted. It’s tough to prove a negative and it’s important to note that Mo himself was showing signs of improvement at the same time that Liverpool’s own performances seemed to take an uptick – even if results weren’t quite matching up.
Still, at least offensively, I think there’s something to unpack when it comes to Liverpool looking more fluid and more capable of dealing with an entrenched opposing back-line over the past 7 matches. And today, in particular, it was interesting to see that the cycling of the ball didn’t seem to pick-up in tempo. Improvements, to me, are again the seeming better understanding between Wirtz and Kerkez, whose overlaps/underlaps were rewarded with good passes in as opposed to Gakpo’s typical choice to ignore the additional help. Also, it should be noted that Wirtz’s free role allowed him to pop up in some unexpected places, including down the center of the pitch for his goal.
Defensively, it must be noted that, set piece aside, Liverpool look to have again found solidity at the back. A stand-out moment was the number of red shirts that managed to snuff out an early break-away by Wolves. More improvements on both sides of the ball, please, especially as we look to cycle through the second set of fixtures.
Dissecting the Narrative
I want to give more kudos to Florian Wirtz who has really seemed to finally find his depth here in the Premier League. The quality in the German seemed there – the way he receives passes so securely, the quickness of thought when playing his teammates in (or, in the event wires were crossed, in what he saw as possible), and the way he glides into space – but now it looks like he’s managed to tie it all into a better understanding of the speed and strength on offer in England’s top flight. The future is a murky thing and trying to make loud and broad pronouncements can make anyone look like a fool, but the cherry on top is that Wirtz seemed to take all of the criticism from early on and managed to filter out what was warranted and got to work. We’re seeing the fruits of all that labor and I feel like the sky is once more the limit for this young superstar.
How The Players Reacted
I can’t turn the corner on this match without mentioning that, given the opposition, the match also served as an opportunity for everyone on hand to pay particular honor to the late Diogo Jota. Diogo’s children served as mascots during the match and there was a lot of focus on remembering him well during the build-up. During the match, Ryan Gravenberch celebrated his opener by doing the Portuguese striker’s chomping celebration.
It has been a difficult 6 months for the Reds, but taking the win and being able to do so while paying homage to their friend will likely have served as a bit of a balm.
What Happens Next
Thanks to Aston Villa’s scintillating form, Liverpool are in sole possession of 4th place and will get to close out 2025 at that position. Also, it helps to bring Liverpool’s past results to light, as Liverpool took down Unai Emery’s side back in early November, which was the Villains’ last defeat. Liverpool will hope to kick-off the New Year as they ended, by earning all three points again Leeds on New Year’s Day.
