SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 18 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
WL
Premier League | Gameweek 24
Jan 23, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
LL

1-2

Jimenez (51')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Henderson (8'), Firmino (84')

Roberto Firmino keeps Liverpool run going with late winner at Wolves

:Headline: Result: Roberto Firmino keeps Liverpool run going with late winner at Wolves: ID:387251: from db_amp
Liverpool moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League with victory at Molineux.

Roberto Firmino’s late strike at Wolves continued Liverpool’s fairytale season to move them 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The forward snatched a 2-1 victory with six minutes left to maintain the Reds’ unbeaten Premier League run, although they were given a major scare at Molineux.

Raul Jimenez’s 20th goal of the season had cancelled out Jordan Henderson’s early opener.

But Liverpool were indebted to Alisson after vital saves from Jimenez and Adama Traore when they were under serious second-half pressure.

Victory allowed Jurgen Klopp’s relentless side to stretch their unbeaten league run to 40 and they still have a game in hand in next week’s trip to West Ham.

Wolves, who remain seventh, dominated much of the play after the break but became another victim of the Liverpool juggernaut.

The hosts knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup at Molineux last season and looked for a repeat result early on.

Pedro Neto’s low free-kick caused panic in the visitors’ backline during a bright start.

But Liverpool underlined their status as runaway leaders when they went ahead after eight minutes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick was deflected behind and from the resulting corner his delivery found Henderson to nod in his second goal of the season from six yards.

Jordan Henderson (centre, obscured) opened the scoring at Molineux (Nick Potts/PA)

Wolves remained undaunted, despite going behind, and could have levelled two minutes later when Matt Doherty headed Ruben Neves’ cross wide.

They refused to let Klopp’s side rest on the ball or dictate the early tempo although failed to click in the final third.

Liverpool also struggled to create clear chances, with Mohamed Salah denied by a combination of Jonny and Romain Saiss when he found a rare opening.

They would have been encouraged having ridden out Wolves’ pressure but suffered a first-half setback when Sadio Mane was forced off after 33 minutes. Takumi Minamino replaced him for a Premier League debut.

Sadio Mane is an injury concern for Liverpool (Richard Sellers/PA)

Jimenez dragged a shot wide eight minutes before the break but Wolves survived a fright late in the half.

Salah raced onto Firmino’s header to dart into the area but his shot hit Doherty and looped into Rui Patricio’s arms.

The goalkeeper had to be more alert a minute after the break, though, when Salah robbed Traore only to see Patricio turn his sharp drive away.

It proved vital as Wolves, who had threatened to produce a moment of quality, found the equaliser six minutes into the second half.

Raul Jimenez (left) equalised for Wolves (Mark Kerton/PA)

Jimenez fed Traore and continued his run into the box where he arrived unchecked to power in a header from the winger’s pinpoint cross.

Wolves immediately chased a second and Alisson turned away Traore’s fizzing low drive.

The Wolves winger was causing countless problems for Liverpool and slipped Jimenez in with 22 minutes to go, with Alisson making a vital block.

Salah fired wide in a brief opening for the visitors but Wolves continued to be a menace – with Traore the ringleader.

Firmino (left) won the game with this shot (Nick Potts/PA)

Yet Firmino nearly restored the Reds’ lead with eight minutes left when he bundled his way through, only to be denied by Patrico’s legs.

It was only a warning though as, two minutes later, the Brazilian snatched the winner.

Salah was crowded out on the edge of the area but Henderson managed to slip in Firmino and he smash an angled drive across Patricio into the corner.

Substitute Diogo Jota could have still levelled for the hosts but hooked over from close range as Liverpool survived.

amp_article__387251 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-23 22:44:28:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 10:27:36 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .