Liverpool maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The Reds had to battle from behind as second-half goals from Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson and a Hugo Bueno own goal ensured a fourth win in five matches so far. Jurgen Klopp’s side might not have been at their best yet displayed the battling qualities - and not for the first time this campaign - that are paramount to a side that has designs on challenging for silverware.
Just like this meeting in February, Liverpool made a horrendous start and found themselves behind in the seventh minute. Pedro Neto slalomed his way into the Liverpool box and pulled a cross back for Hee-Chan Hwang to fire home.
Diogo Jota had a chance to get the Reds level in the 13th minute but crashed over the bar. But on 34 minutes, the visitors should have found themselves two goals behind when that man Neto skipped past Joe Gomez and picked out Matheus Cunha six yards from goal but he got his header all wrong and Liverpool survived.
The Reds could have gone into half-time level when Wolves keeper Jose Sa spilled Andy Robertson’s cross but Mo Salah saw his shot blocked by Ryan Ait-Nouri.
Klopp introduced Luis Diaz at the start of the second half, as well as switching to a 4-4-2 formation. And just 10 minutes later, Liverpool were level when Salah’s cross-cum-shot found Cody Gakpo lurking at close range to prod home.
The Reds continued on the front foot, with substitute Darwin Nunez flashing wide before having an effort charged down from close range. Eventually, Liverpool’s pressure would bear fruit as they took the lead with five minutes remaining. Robertson picked up the ball on the halfway line and played a pass to Salah before motoring into the Wolves box and applied a first-time finish.
And in stoppage-time, Salah notched a hat-trick of assists when he cut a ball back for Elliott, whose effort rifled against Bueno and found the back o f the net via the inside of the post.
Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.
9. Dominik Szoboszlai - 7
Gave the ball away at times in the first half but was probably Liverpool’s best player as he tried to provide inspiration. Similar in the second period although one of Liverpool’s better players. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
10. Mo Salah - 7
Virtually anonymous in the first half bar a stoppage-time shot that was blocked with the goal at his mercy. Moved to a striker role in the second half and provided the assist for Liverpool’s equaliser. Then teed-up Robertson for the winner and Elliott for the third Not his best display but more goal contributions. Subbed in stoppage-time. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
11. Diogo Jota - 5
Drilled a shot over the bar in the first half - that was about it. Switched to the right flank in the second period but only lasted 10 minutes before being subbed. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
12. Cody Gakpo - 6
Wasted a decent chance in the first half when he barely made any contact on a Robertson cross and struggled otherwise. Tapped home Liverpool’s equaliser in the 55th minute yet that was his last involvement as he was subbed. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)