Reds march on as Firmino lands killer blow on Wolves
● Brazilian smashes home late winner ● Liverpool move 16 points clear at top
WOLVES
Jimenez 51
LIVERPOOL
Henderson 8, Firmino 84
Roberto Firmino’s late strike at Wolves continued Liverpool’s fairytale season and moved them 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The forward snatched a 2-1 victory with six minutes left to maintain the Reds’ unbeaten Premier League run, although they were given a major scare at Molineux.
Raul Jimenez’s 20th goal of the season cancelled out Jordan Henderson’s early opener and Liverpool were indebted to Alisson for vital saves from Jimenez and Adama Traore when they were under second-half pressure.
Victory allowed Jurgen Klopp’s side to stretch their unbeaten league run to 40 and they still have a game in hand.
Wolves,whoremainseventh, dominated much of the play after the break but became another victim of the Liverpool juggernaut.
The hosts knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup at Molineux last season and looked for a repeat result early on.
Pedro Neto’s low free-kick caused panic in the visitors’ backline during a bright start. But Liverpool underlined their status as runaway leaders when they went ahead after eight minutes. Trent Alexander-arnold’s free-kick was deflected behind and, from the resulting corner, his delivery found Henderson to nod in his second goal of the season.
Wolves remained undaunted and could have levelled two minutes later when Matt Doherty headed wide.
Liverpool suffered a setback when Sadio Mane was forced off on 33 minutes. Takumi
Minamino replaced him for his league debut.
Wolves, who had threatened to produce a moment of quality, found the equaliser six minutes into the second half.
Jimenez fed Traore and continued his run into the box where he powered in a header from the winger’s cross.
Wolves immediately chased a second and Alisson turned away Traore’s low drive.
Firmino nearly restored the Reds’ lead with eight minutes left when he bundled his way through, only to be denied by Rui Patrico’s legs.
It was only a warning though as, two minutes later, the Brazilian snatched the winner.
Mohamed Salah was crowded out on the edge of the area but Henderson managed to slip in Firmino and he smashed an angled drive across Patricio into the corner.
Substitute Diogo Jota could have still levelled for the hosts but hooked over from close range as Liverpool survived.