Wolves Fans' Verdict v Liverpool: If only chances were taken

Clive Smith

Well, where do you start reflecting on that?

A night game, at home, against the champions, a free hit, and we quite fancied our chances.

It did not take long for the real world to kick in. Just two minutes, in fact, to realise we were playing the referee. Clear and obvious... you wonder why VAR was invented. That left a nasty taste in the mouth.

Meanwhile, we were actually playing quite well. The ball was being moved forward quickly, Jose recycled the ball, Semedo was well advanced and with Traore central, there was a sniff of a goal.

A couple of scary moments at the back but only Mane was really a concern. The inevitable happened of course to spoil things. In the same way Mr Nice Guy Robbie Keane haunted us, Jota scored with virtually his only kick of the half. Cruel.

We were still in the game but, as we have seen so often this season, chances came and went with too many tame efforts straight at their keeper and crosses just not accurate enough.

Semedo, Neves, Jose and Traore all might have done better. The collision with Patricio just deflated the mood further at the end.

We worked hard and showed more attacking intent than in many games, our balance was improved with Boly back. At times our approach play was full of promise, but there was no end product. It was disappointing that Neto had such a low key game as he potentially offered our greatest hope.

The game is only likely to be remembered for the penalty not given and the clash at the end. Besides that, Semedo gets man of the match while Neves passed the ball well and Jonny looked closest to being 100 per cent fit since his return.

Frustration is the over-used word for our season. It was here again, Liverpool were beatable if only we could be more decisive in front of goal.

Rob Cartwright

A much better performance, but nothing to show for it. This was Wolves' best start to a game for some time. A combination of extremely poor referee decisions and poor finishing by Wolves meant defeat in a game we should really have won.

The game was overshadowed by the late injury to Patricio, though early reports were positive on this.

The clearest penalty of the season was not given after just a few minutes play. The goalkeeper bundled Semedo to the ground but neither the referee or VAR showed any interest. A goalkeeper seven yards from his line, making no contact with the ball. Even ex-Liverpool player Carragher described it as a 100 per cent nailed-on penalty.

After 20 minutes, we started giving the ball away and Liverpool were controlling possession. They were looking more likely to score, but neither keeper had much to do in reality.

Mane had the best two chances for Liverpool, with Semedo for Wolves.

A Neves free kick from 30 yards was also on target but, with no sting in it, was easy for Alisson.

Jose was leading the line well, though with Neto and Traore misfiring it looked like another half-time 0-0, until Jota did what we all expected, in added time. We gave him space for the first time in the game and Patricio should have done better at his near post.

So we were behind at half time, but much more a satisfying performance than many first halves this season.

We came out on the front foot again and Coady had a chance with header on 48 minutes.

We now had a lot more of the ball and would go on to reverse the possession in our favour. We were getting players in the box but just couldn’t get shots on target.

Jose did well, though looked forlorn when being replaced by Silva on 69 minutes.

A change was needed, as we were creating only half chances. Traore got a shot on target, after 72 minutes, from edge of area.

Dendoncker replaced Neves as we chased an equaliser. Liverpool were looking very unsure of themselves now and Wolves were on top.

When Gibbs-White replaced Semedo on 84 minutes, I felt the game was lost. Maybe harsh on him, but I just don’t see him changing a game.

A couple of minutes later, the injury to Rui effectively ended the game – I didn’t see the collision, but it brought the Raul incident back to mind and needed a long break while having treatment on the pitch.

We just had time for another poor header by Silva, who should have scored in added time.

Man of the match was Moutinho who played with the energy of someone ten years younger. Semedo also had an excellent game.

Craig Pawson excelled in giving the worst refereeing performance of the season. He was abysmal with decision after decision being given the wrong way. Free kicks, bookings and even playing on after a head injury with a player grounded. A truly shocking performance from him. He played seven minutes added time when another five or six minutes were due.

So, it wasn’t to be our night. Patricio has three weeks to recover and we then have a run of fixtures where I would expect to move up the table.

John Lalley

Sickening to witness scenes reminiscent of the trauma we experienced earlier this season at The Emirates.

All we can do is wish Patricio a speedy return to good health. This hasn’t been a satisfying campaign one way and another; the two deplorable incidents with Rui and Raul Jimenez will I am afraid linger in the memory more than anything else.

Frankly, we could all do with a break. For what it’s worth, this in microcosm was the story of our season; an error seconds from half-time eased the pressure on Liverpool who despite a reasonable performance are a pale shadow of the scintillating champions of last year.

Yet again we were hopelessly flimsy up front; absolutely hapless and devoid of any significant threat, constantly choosing the wrong option when well placed. Right through to stoppage time, the opportunities were there; Liverpool were far from watertight but this glaring deficiency of ours smothers us with monotonous regularity.

We never tested a goalkeeper who has faltered lately and who looked uncertain early on nervously punching a couple of easy crosses with no conviction at all. That said, our entire attitude was a whole lot more positive with us competing strongly during the first-half. The inexplicable early passivity that bedevils us was cast aside and we should have reached the interval all square.

Having handled Jota fairly comfortably, it was mortifying to gift him such a soft goal. With Mane’s influence waning after his excellent first-half and the growing influence of Moutinho exerting control, Wolves should have rescued a point.

The critics have sharpened their knives all season for Moutinho and truth be told, he hasn’t matched the peerless performances that delighted us over the last two seasons. But last night, he was outstanding; sharp, efficient and decisive. Life in the old dog yet methinks.

But if you can’t finish, it’s all irrelevant. All secondary of course; our only priority from this game concerns Patricio; nothing else. All Wolves’ fans will wish him well.

Russ Evers

A game that just about sums up the season. The odd individual error but a battling all-round team effort where for a long time we at least matched the current English champions. The glaring lack of a genuine goalscorer was the difference between defeat and getting something from the game but it was not to be.

Our efforts were not helped by an abysmal refereeing performance and you must question if VAR was switched off as it was not mentioned despite there being two very clear penalty shouts for Wolves.

But the game was overshadowed by the injury to Patricio. Best wishes for a speedy recovery but someone has to look at the offside rule where play continues despite everyone knowing it was offside. Man of the match was Moutinho. A masterclass.