Merseyside | Liverpool win as fans come together for Jota

Liverpool 2 - 1 Wolves

Florian Wirtz scored his first goal for Liverpool as they edged past Wolves on a poignant afternoon, with Diogo Jota remembered by both sets of supporters.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

Arne Slot’s side struck twice in the space of two minutes before the interval, through Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz. Wolves responded after the break via Santiago Bueno, but Liverpool held on to claim a third consecutive Premier League victory and move up to fourth. Wolves remain without a win in the league this season.

The occasion carried added emotion as Jota’s sons, Dinis and Duarte, served as mascots and walked out alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. Jota, who represented both clubs during his career in England, was honoured again in the 20th minute when the home and away fans joined together to sing his song. Liverpool retired the No 20 shirt following his death in July.

A closer look at what happened on the pitch

Wolves were well organised for much of the first half, but their resistance was broken four minutes before the interval when Gravenberch finished from Jeremie Frimpong’s delivery. Almost immediately, Liverpool doubled their advantage, Wirtz arriving to meet Hugo Ekitike’s cross and calmly slotting past José Sá.

The visitors gave themselves hope six minutes into the second half when Bueno followed up after Alisson had saved Tolu Arokodare’s header from a corner. Rob Edwards responded with three substitutions shortly after the hour as Wolves pushed for an equaliser, and Arokodare went close with a header that drifted over.

Liverpool, however, remained composed to see out the result and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.