Wolves 2-1 Liverpool
by Gene Sylvester
at Molineux

ROB EDWARDS’S men came into this game brimming with confidence after their last two home games saw them hold league leaders Arsenal to a draw before seeing off their high flying local rivals Aston Villa with a 2-0 win, so the visit of Liverpool probably wasn’t as daunting a prospect as it may have been a few months ago.

And that steep resurgence in home form continued on Tuesday night as an injury time winner from midfielder Andre, sealed all three points at the death for the bottom-placed club against the Premier League champions.

“I could get used to that,” beamed an elated Edwards after the match. “It’s not good for my heart but it’s a really good feeling.”

The first half of this match had little to talk about, with the highlight being a touching tribute from both sets of fans for the late former Wolves and Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, with both sets of fans applauding each other’s rendition of their Jota songs on the 18th and 20th minute of the match.

Wolves applauded the away end which was then followed by a collective applause from both sets of supporters — a heartwarming moment on a chilly night between two sets of rival fans, united in remembrance of their former player.

The actual match sprung to life in the second half with Wolves surviving an early penalty scare after Jeremie Frimpong’s attempted cross seemingly hit Ladislav Krejci’s elbow in the box.

Liverpool’s claims for a penalty were promptly ruled out by VAR, with the resulting corner almost breaking the deadlock for the away team.

Hugo Ekitike’s near post flick looked to be landing plum on the chest off Curtis Jones under the crossbar for the easiest of tap-ins, but teammate Cody Gakpo’s outstretched boot diverted the ball away from Jones’s chest and onto the crossbar, allowing the Wolves defenders to clear the rebound.

Wolves took full advantage of that let off in the 77th minute when a Yerson Mosquera long ball was contested between the two heavyweights, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, with the Wolves striker out-muscling the Dutchman.

After exhibiting his brute strength, the big Nigerian then showed awareness and poise to slide the perfect pass into the path of the marauding Rodrigo Gomes down the left who was able to take the ball into his stride and clip a shot with the outside of his right boot past Alisson and into the net.

Mohamed Salah levelled for Liverpool five minutes later, scoring his first goal in eleven Premier League games, the Egyptian’s longest goalscoring drought for Liverpool, after intercepting Wolves sub Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s attempted pass.

The Liverpool striker still had a bit to do, but was able to work the space for himself to to get a shot away with the outside of his left foot, beating Jose Sa at his near post.

But Edwards transformed team were not to be denied with a 93rd minute deflected shot from midfielder Andre looping over his countryman Alisson in the Liverpool goal, earning his side all three points with his first goal for the club since joining in August 2024.

The goal sparked absolute scenes amongst the home fans, with manager Edwards also losing his composure as he joined in with the rapturous celebrations.

“Look, it’s Liverpool, the champions last year, so we have to enjoy those moments,” explained the Wolves head coach.

“This club has seen some dark times, so it’s nice that the fans can  sing about stuff at the moment.”