Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool are the Premier League leaders at Christmas after overcoming a potentially tricky test with a performance of class and character.
The team top of the table on Christmas Day has gone on to win the title in 14 of the 26 previous Premier League seasons, (the most recent exception being Liverpool in 2013-14).
Yet this team is the most talented Liverpool have had for a decade (when they finished second to Manchester United). And as the players approach the conclusion of virtually a perfect first half of the campaign, the Merseysiders have certainly made their mark on more than just SBOBET fans.
Highlights of the game
The confidence in abundance highlighted by Dejan Lovren earlier this week was certainly evident at the Molineux as goals from Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk sealed a 2-0 success.
Salah expertly stroked home a Fabinho cross for an 18th-minute opener, completing a move he started after the Brazilian linked up with Sadio Mane.
Then the Egyptian’s cross was steered in by Van Dijk midway through the second half to seal the points.
Wolves were looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since January 1972 and move level with Man Utd.
But, just as that streak ended with a goalless draw against Liverpool at the Molineux, this was ended by the red half of Merseyside.
Salah has now been directly involved in 12 goals in nine Premier League appearances against newly-promoted teams for the Reds, with six goals and six assists.
It was a fine victory for a side which has produced some wonderful Premier League 2018 highlights and now won its last six games in league and cup. They remain unbeaten and have moved four points clear at the top.
Both sides started brightly and full of energy, threatening in attack and keeping the match in limbo until the second goal.
However, it’s the sign of a good team to score at just the right time. And that is exactly what Jurgen Klopp’s men did here to seal a deserved win.
So many Premier League 2018 betting odds slide towards Liverpool again.
They will be top on Christmas Day – eight of the last nine teams in that position have gone onto win the title.
Man City, it’s over to you.
Key statistics
Liverpool’s haul of 48 points from their opening 18 league games is their best at this stage of a top-flight campaign.
Wolves have now lost 12 successive top-flight games played on a Friday. Their last win on a Friday came against Sunderland in April 1965.
The previous four sides to lead the way on December 25 have gone on to win the title. The last team not to were Liverpool themselves.
With 25 points, Wolves have already matched their tally from the whole of their most recent Premier League campaign in 2011-12.
Their record against the established top six this season has largely been good. The only defeat before tonight came at home to Tottenham, and they have beaten Chelsea while taking a point off both Manchester clubs and Arsenal.
Wolves had beaten Liverpool in two of the last five meetings, with both of those wins coming at Anfield – including in the FA Cup fourth round last year.
However, their last win against the Reds at the Molineux was in August 1981.
Wolves are now winless in five Premier League home meetings against Liverpool, with their only goal a 90th-minute equaliser from Kenny Miller in a 1-1 draw in January 2004.
None of Wolves’ last 20 Premier League goals have been scored by an Englishman, with the most recent netted by Matt Jarvis in 2012.
The only other club for whom an Englishman has not scored a Premier League goal this season, excluding own goals, is Newcastle; Harrow-born Ciaran Clark has netted for the Magpies but is a Republic of Ireland international.
The Reds have earned eight successive league victories against newly-promoted sides, scoring a total of 25 goals and conceding just twice.
Wolves are the 27th different side Klopp has faced in the Premier League – he has beaten all previous opponents at least once (last weekend was his first league victory against Man Utd and this his first against Wolves).
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s two festive trips to London in four days for Wolves who face Fulham on Boxing Day before meeting high-flying Spurs at Wembley on Dec 29.
They then entertain Crystal Palace at home on January 2 before being reunited with Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Merseysiders have two home games over Christmas with Newcastle and Arsenal the visitors to Anfield. The Arsenal game is followed by their first game of the new year and a potential cracker – a trip to reigning champions Manchester City on January 3.
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