Andre transfer question answered
It doesn’t require a massive stretch of the imagination to have pictured Andre Trindade lining up for Liverpool rather than against them at Molineux.
The Brazil international was briefly in the crosshairs of the Reds during their prolonged pursuit of a defensive midfielder last year before his club Fluminense put a firm halt on any talks.
Both parties have since moved on, Andre rocking up at Wolves during this summer while Liverpool 12 months earlier brought in Wataru Endo and then Ryan Gravenberch. The Anfield dream was over for Andre.
And the midfielder’s showing from the first whistle was very much one determined to show the Reds what they had missed out on, snapping into tackles and leading an strong opening from Wolves that knocked the visitors out of their stride.
But while Andre’s drive forward was the spark for Wolves’ equaliser, Liverpool were already by that point turning the tide in engine room.
Key to that, along with the unflappable Gravenberch, was Mac Allister who, after an opening quarter that brought back memories of his first-half horror show here last season, became a growing influence with both his aggression and use of the ball.
The duo’s growing composure allowed Liverpool to once again wrest the midfield initiative and avoid a late cavalry charge from the hosts. They will be key to any success for the Reds this season.
Defence defies perception again
One particularly strange narrative of the season so far is the claim Liverpool have been coughing up too many openings for opposing teams.
The facts, though, paint a different picture. In eight games, the Reds have thus far conceded only four goals, at least half of which were down to individual errors or, as with Jarell Quansah’s own goal against West Ham United, poor fortune.
The former was responsible for the latest concession, with Ibrahima Konate taking the lion’s share of the blame for the breakdown in communication with Alisson Becker that ultimately prompted the Wolves equaliser.
It was only the second goal Liverpool had leaked in six Premier League games – the best defensive record in the top flight – and wasn’t representative of an otherwise solid rearguard action in which Andy Robertson impressed and Trent Alexander-Arnold came through a defensive test having picked up a needless early booking.
Konate, of course, had already made a difference at the other end by heading the opener after joining Virgil van Dijk in continuing to loiter in the area as Liverpool recycled possession intelligently from a corner.
Having not scored for most than two years, that’s now two goals in three outings for the France international, proof Konate can be a much bigger menace in the opposing box.
Salah holds his nerve
Mario Lemina’s blind square pass landed at his feet and, with Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone out of position, the goal was gaping. Mohamed Salah, though, struck his first-time effort horribly wide of the far post.
It was proving that kind of evening for the Egyptian, offered scant protection from referee Anthony Taylor and too often let down by a poor touch or wrong decision.
But when Liverpool were awarded a spot kick just a few minutes after his miss, there was never any question the ball wasn’t going to be thrown to Salah to do the business. He duly obliged, sending Johnstone the wrong way.
Remarkably, it was the first penalty Liverpool had scored in a league game at Wolves since 1935.
The goal also ensured Slot became the first Reds manager since John McKenna in 1895 to win seven of his opening eight games in charge in all competitions.
And it continued Liverpool’s impressive record against Wolves having now won 15 of the last 16 league encounters.
