Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s first-half struggles left him questioning his side – before the Reds hit back to win at Wolves.
Andrew Robertson’s late strike and Hugo Bueno’s injury-time own goal completed Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Molineux.
Cody Gakpo had levelled earlier in the second half as Liverpool earned a third comeback victory of the season and fourth straight win. They are now unbeaten in 16 Premier League games, stretching back to last season.
Hwang Hee-Chan’s opener had put vibrant Wolves in command and only a shocking miss from Matheus Cunha stopped them from adding to their lead.
Klopp had criticised the early kick-off after the international break – with Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Alisson and Alexis Mac Allister all returning from South America on Friday – and conceded he was worried during a wretched first half.
He said: “In the first half I thought ‘WTF?’ a couple of times. We were not ready in the first half but Wolves did really well.
“With these boys, some of them we’ve had seven, eight, nine weeks with, some of them longer, I know if they can be, they are there. Today they couldn’t in a lot of moments.
Smiles all round 😁 pic.twitter.com/JkQLShu35P
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2023
“I know if you get through the first half with a reasonable result, you can turn it.
“The team needed help and we could deliver the help a little bit with the changes and change of system. They were completely different halves.
“The same players who looked rusty in the first half, in the second half it looked much easier.
“Wolves played a super first half but in the second half we were really good and controlled the game.
“We stayed calm, there was no rush, 3-1 was a result I didn’t expect after 20 minutes but during the second half we deserved it.”
Wolves dominated early and Hwang grabbed a seventh-minute goal when he swept in Pedro Neto’s low cross.
Livewire Neto caused chaos and he gift-wrapped a chance for Cunha after 33 minutes when he breezed past Joe Gomez to cross for the striker to miscue an unmarked header from five yards.
It kept Liverpool in the game and, after introducing Luis Diaz at the break, the visitors levelled 10 minutes later.
Gakpo and Diaz managed to smuggle the ball to Salah on the right and his low ball was turned in by the unmarked Gakpo.
Wolves lost all their first-half fearlessness, failing to create another chance, but it took until the 86th minute for Liverpool to capitalise.
Jose Sa’s poor clearance fell for Robertson just inside Wolves’ half. The defender burst forward to swap passes with Salah and finish from seven yards.
Harvey Elliott’s 20-yard strike then deflected off Bueno in stoppage time to seal victory.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said: “If you look at the two sides, the gap in quality, it takes a big effort to close that.
“I thought we did for a very long time. The organisation and structure managed to help us bridge that gap.
“When we were on top we could have taken one or two of our good situations.
“We were digging in and then we make a strange decision, create a bit of chaos and concede the second goal.
“At 1-1 they’ve had a lot of the ball but we made a strange decision and it cost us a goal. Up until 80 minutes to have pushed Liverpool that close was a very good effort.
“We conceded a crazy second goal which is what I’ve been trying to get out of the players since I’ve been here.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liam Delap has been booked. If Arsenal get Gabriel Heinze as assistant coach Throwback when Pepe was surprised that referee gave only a yellow card to Sergio Ramos.. This lol This I guess I won't be needing this anymore... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, thefootballarenaa, FootballLaughss, MaguireSkills, Foot...
Fabrizio Romano reports on his YouTube channel that in recent hours there have been new conversations between Arsenal and Noni Madueke's camp.Romano adds that he believes Madueke could be open to the transfer, given this second round of talks. If the winger had no interest in the move, presumably his camp would have shut things down immediately.The journalist clarifies that this doesn't mean Madue...
Catalan publication Sport claims that the Blues are "willing" to pay €40m (£34m) for the young Spaniard, who has caught the eye with his performances at the Club World Cup.Garcia has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances, including the winner against Juventus in the last 16 earlier this week.Even so, Real may be open to selling the 21-year-old, but Sport suggest they may want to include a buy...
Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi remain in negotiations to extend the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract beyond the end of 2025, a source told ESPN.Despite recent reports linking Messi to clubs in other leagues, both Inter Miami and the Argentine captain remain interested in continuing their relationship on the field.Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half year Designat...
Szczesny poised to extend Barcelona stay with new dealBarcelona are on the verge of securing a contract extension with experienced goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who is expected to sign a new two-year deal, sources told ESPN.Szczesny had previously acknowledged receiving an offer from Barca in May but requested some more time to evaluate his future. The Polish international has now decided to commi...
Chelsea take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finalsChelsea manager Enzo Maresca has tempered expectations ahead of Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, stating that ‘football is full of surprises’.The Premier League side secured their place in this stage by defeating Portuguese giants Benfica, while Abel Ferreira’s team overcame Brazilian rivals Botafog...
REVEALED: Agents almost wrecked David's dream Juventus moveJonathan David pushed his agents to accept a major cut on their commission to seal his move to Juventus.In Turin today for his Juve medical, there was a danger of the move collapsing due to the demands of David's agents.A free agent from Lille, David's agents wanted a massive €25m to place the player at his next club, says Tuttosport...
Forest to bid for Leicester defender Kristiansen linked with Roma and EvertonNottingham Forest are said to be keen on Leicester City defender Victor Kristiansen this summer despite interest from other clubs.Leicester were relegated from the Premier League last season, having only gained promotion the year before and will be hoping to keep the squad together ahead of the new campaign where the Foxe...
Five Man Utd stars ask to leave including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and SanchoFive Manchester United stars have informed the club that they wish to leave this summer after much transfer speculation.After the club’s worst season in history which saw United finish 15th in the Premier League, get knocked out of both domestic cups, and be beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final, five pla...
Garnacho intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departureAlejandro Garnacho has informed Manchester United that he wishes to leave the side this summer as he hopes to join another Premier League club.Garnacho was told he could leave United in May after complaining he was only on the bench for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. He, as well as Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, ...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 6 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 7 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-Nassr
- 10 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner