A performance from Liverpool of such staggering ineptitude that it is difficult to know quite where to start. Wolves, however, hunted in packs, gave those in a red shirt a lesson in desire and commitment, and thoroughly deserved their 2-1 victory.
The first half has already been forgotten because it was so bad. The only incident of note was a yellow card for Ryn Gravenberch that saw him replaced by Curtis Jones at half-time. In truth, it made little difference. Liverpool continued to show a lethargy that would shame a sedated hospital patient. Wolves, while not much better, at least displayed a semblance of a plan by running further, tackling harder, and maintaining shape and defensive discipline.
Somehow the game, which looked like petering out to an abject bore draw, sprang into life in the 78th minute. Joe Gomez got the better of both Virgil van Dijk and Ibou Konate from a ball punted upfield before Alisson was beaten with a clipped finish. It took Wolves scoring for those in red to suddenly realise they were supposed to be playing football.
Having already introduced Rio Ngumoha, who hit the post, for the consistently awful Cody Gakpo, Arne Slot barked his orders from the touchline. He, like the rest of us, looked bemused by his team’s performance, but he must surely take a large proportion of the responsibility for the consistency of Liverpool’s mediocrity. His players look poorly coached, unfit, and devoid of spirit. They did, however, draw level.
Mo Salah, who had not scored in the league for almost four months and who was otherwise dreadful, gave Liverpool a lifeline. A smart finish from inside the penalty box ensured a frantic last ten minutes. With the game now resembling basketball, a winner from someone looked inevitable.
With Dominik Szoboszlai feigning injury and pleading for a free kick after losing the ball, and with Liverpool’s midfield gone missing, Wolves broke forward in injury time. Alisson Becker, looking more prone to panic than in previous seasons, cleared poorly to a Wolves shirt and, just seconds later, was beaten by a deflected shot. Molineux roared in approval. Player after player in red then fouled, lost the ball, and showed a crushing level of stupidity in trying to find an equaliser.
So Liverpool, handed a golden opportunity to cement a top-four place, lost a game in injury time for the fifth time this season. If the height of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result, Liverpool have it off to perfection. They travel to Wolves again on Friday in the FA Cup. I wonder if they have learnt anything?
