Salah on the spot before Wolves rattle Anfield's nerves

A rare troubled week for Arne Slot ended in the relief of victory and the restoration of his side's seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League, yet concern lingers.

- Andy Hunter

Liverpool were given a serious fright by the relegation-threatened Wolves as nerves gripped Anfield for the first time this season. A potentially defining period awaits.

Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, with his 28th goal of the season, gave Liverpool a commanding interval lead as they sought to shake off the lingering effects of the Merseyside derby. Vitor Pereira's half-time rollicking and changes to the Wolves side ensured they returned. Matheus Cunha reduced the arrears with a stunning strike and Slot's team were suddenly plagued by doubt. Liverpool did not have a single attempt on Jose Sa's goal in the second half. It was the first time on record that Liverpool had failed to have a shot in a half of football in a Premier League game at Anfield.

Slot praised his players' mentality after stoppage time passed without trauma, unlike at Goodison Park, but with trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City to come in the next week, he knows improvement is required. Liverpool have been serene for much of Slot's debut season but this ranked as a crucial win from a scrappy performance. The type that wins titles. The leaders were indebted to the contributions of Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo - on as substitutes - for keeping Wolves' second-half recovery at bay.

The visitors nursed an understandable grievance over the referee Simon Hooper's display in the first half - both Pereira and Matt Doherty were booked for dissent - but Wolves were culpable for the mess they found themselves in at half-time.