Klopp: It was a big fight
Liverpool finish the year with a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League table following victory over Wolves amidst more Video Assistant Referee controversy at Anfield yesterday.
Sadio Mane scored the winner in the first half, slotting it past keeper Rui Patricio after it bounced off Adam Lallana’s shoulder in the box.
There was a lengthy VAR review for handball from Lallana before referee Anthony Taylor eventually confirmed the goal.
Wolves then had a goal disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside by Jonny after Pedro Neto had drilled his shot into the bottom left corner on the stroke of half-time. Liverpool had chances to extend their lead - Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino coming close either side of the break, but Wolves were also bright.
Diogo Jota had two big chances in the second half - the first a shot from a tight angle in the box which flew wide of the right post, the second a festive gift from a Virgil van Dijk mistake which he hit straight at Liverpool keeper Alisson. Liverpool finish the year as resounding favourites to win their first league title in 30 years, while Wolves end 2019 in good form despite defeat at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “It was a tough test and rightly so. Wolves are used to a tough rhythm of games.
“First half we were good and controlled the game, but I can imagine Wolves were not happy with the VAR decisions.
“However, the momentum went with them after that moment. We had nothing to do with the decisions.
“The second half they changed a bit. We were not fresh enough in mind to react.
“Alisson wanted to make the game quick, and nobody else wants to it to be! Football is like life. Sometimes you are 100% ready and sometimes not. It was a big fight.” Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “It was a tough game. First half Liverpool was strong.
“We stayed in the game, stayed organised and always the danger with the quality.
“In the second half we had good spells and created a lot of chances. “We finished strongly. I am very proud of the players.”
More VAR controversy
Wolves fans were clearly frustrated, greeting referee Anthony Taylor with a roar of boos on his re-entry to the pitch following the half-time break.
Liverpool’s opening goal appeared to strike the top of Lallana’s shoulder, near his collar bone rather than his arm, while the Wolves players felt Virgil van Dijk controlled the ball with his hand before playing the long pass to Lallana.