Liverpool set unwanted 21-year club record in tense Wolves win | OneFootball

Liverpool's 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday was greeted with one overriding emotion - relief.

The Reds put themselves in a strong position, like they usually do, by taking a two-goal advantage into half-time thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and a 23rd Premier League strike of the season from Mohamed Salah - this one from 12 yards after his Colombian teammate Diaz had been felled by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Arne Slot's side were in complete control without needing to be at their brilliant best, but it didn't take long for a Sunday afternoon stroll in the Merseyside sun to turn into a tense, nervy affair that left many begging for referee Simon Hooper's full-time whistle.

Matheus Cunha - a player Slot said in the week is capable of playing for a top Premier League side - got Wolves back into the game with a terrific curling finish, and it could have been a whole lot worse had Alisson not made a couple of smart saves for the Reds.

The most surprising thing about the turnaround was Liverpool's complete lack of impetus going forward. In fact, as noted by stats guru Opta, the second half was the first time on record (statistics tracking began in 2003/04) that the club have failed to register a shot of any kind in any 45-minute period at Anfield.

Liverpool weren't understrength in terms of on-field personnel, either, with Salah accompanying Diaz and Diogo Jota in a potent front three, ably supported by Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold also played two-thirds of the game before being replaced by Conor Bradley at right-back.

The only absentee of note was Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, who was ruled out of the game with an injury sustained in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton last Wednesday.

The obvious good news for the Premier League leaders is that they still got the three points, extending their advantage over title rivals Arsenal back to seven. Another impressive takeaway for Liverpool is the fact that Slot has now picked up 60 points from his first 25 matches in charge - only Jose Mourinho (64) has achieved more from their start to life as a Premier League manager, way back in 2004/05.

What did Mourinho go on to achieve that year? He won the Premier League title, by a whopping 12-point margin. Take note, Reds fans.