Liverpool 2-1 Wolves (September 28, 2024) Match analysis

Ibrahima Konaté headed his first Premier League goal and Mohamed Salah converted a penalty as Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Arne Slot’s men have 15 points after six games, one more than Manchester City and Arsenal, while Wolves are bottom with just one point.

Konate scored in first-half stoppage time after Diogo Jota beat his man on the left and then served up a precise cross which the 25-year-old centre-back jumped to finish.

However, the Wolves took advantage of some sloppy defending by Konate to equalize in the 56th minute. The French centre-back appeared to leave the ball to take a goal kick, but Jorgen Strand Larsen kept it in and Rayan Aït-Nouri scored from close range.

However, Salah silenced the celebrating home fans at Molineux five minutes later when Liverpool were awarded a penalty for Nélson Semedo’s foul on Jota, with Salah sending goalkeeper Sam Johnstone the wrong way.

“I think a team like Liverpool has to be in the top four, we keep pushing, we keep pushing, but it’s very early,” Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch told Sky Sports after another impressive performance from the Dutch midfielder.

“This season I wanted to show myself again and I’m very happy. He (Slot) put me in the starting eleven and gave me a lot of confidence.”

Dominik Szoboszlai had squandered a brilliant chance to put Liverpool on the scoreboard when he connected with Andy Robertson’s cross, but Johnstone saved the Hungarian’s close-range shot.

Liverpool had a few more chances in the final minutes, including a corner that Konate headed over the bar and a shot into the bottom corner by Curtis Jones after a one-two with Salah that was saved by Johnstone.

Liverpool’s victory comes amid a busy schedule, with Slot’s side crushing West Ham United 5-1 in a League Cup third-round match on Wednesday, while hosting Bologna in a match of the Champions League in four days.

Gary O’Neil’s Wolves have gone 18 games without a clean sheet, since last February’s 1-0 victory against Sheffield United.

Wolves captain Mario Lemina appeared distraught after the final whistle, covering his face with his shirt before a couple of teammates arrived to console him.

Aston Villa could move level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table on Sunday with a win at Ipswich Town.