Late Goals, Bright Hopes: Liverpool Edge Wolves with a Rapid Fire Duo
27 December 2025
Match Recap
Dutch manager Arne Slot spoke after the match about his happiness with a hard-earned win over Wolverhampton and highlighted Florian Vertz's growing impact within the squad.
Liverpool extended their recent good run by beating the visitors 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday, as the 18th round of the Premier League produced another tense test.
The hosts took the lead through Ryan Gravenberch on 41 minutes and Vertz added a second just a minute later, setting the early tone for the evening.
Santiago Bueno pulled one back for Wolves on 51 minutes to set up a frantic finish.
Liverpool also faced a few absences, with Mohamed Salah away for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Dominik Szoboszlai suspended, and Alexander Isak sidelined by injury.
What the Manager Said
Slot told Sky Sports after the final whistle that he was glad football is about results, noting that in several games this season Liverpool had played well without getting the desired outcomes and that his aim is to win every remaining match.
He added that there were positives: he had to throw on Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo, who had limited training time, yet the win felt like a positive sign.
He also reflected on Wolves' goal, saying he would have preferred the game to go differently, but that the real positive is Liverpool's ability to win even when conceding a set piece now, after suffering in similar moments earlier in the season.
On Vertz's opener, Slot said the team had seen what he can already offer in terms of creating chances and getting close to scoring.
He stressed that everyone in football knows what is said about Florian, but he believes the forward will keep pushing and score more than one for the team.
Discussing the presence of Diogo Jota's late father and André Silva's brother, Slot called it deeply moving, with fans showing utmost respect and the moment feeling special for the club, his wife and children as well.
Messages of tribute for Diogo Jota and André Silva were described as meaningful, with supporters and players showing composure and the kids in team gear adding an extra layer of emotion.
Slot wrapped up by saying the respect was not limited to Liverpool fans; away supporters also showed their admiration, and the moment before the 20th minute left a lasting impression.
Liverpool rose to fourth place temporarily on 32 points, while Wolverhampton stayed at the bottom with two.
Two punchlines to close: If football were a sniper competition, Liverpool just pocketed the target—boom, two in under a minute. And in the grand theater of Anfield, even the goalkeepers must be wearing headphones tonight, because that crowd was loud enough to bench a dishwasher’s doubts.
