Liverpool stunned as crazy Matip deflections gift Wolves two early goals
- Matip own goal put Wolves ahead
- Dawson fires in second after another bad deflection
- Win a big boost to Wolves' survival hopes
WHAT HAPPENED? The hosts needed just 12 minutes to take a two-goal lead against Jurgen Klopp's team. A long ball over the top found Hwang Hee-chan in the Liverpool box and the South Korea star took the ball down to the byline before trying to cut back to a team-mate in the centre. However, the pass struck Joel Matip and bounced off his trailing leg past Alisson from close range to break the deadlock just five minutes in.
ICMYI: an own-goal by Joel Matip gave Wolves an early lead at Molineux Stadium.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 4, 2023
📺 @peacock#MyPLMorning | #WOLLIV pic.twitter.com/TywzWPOpTd
Then, Craig Dawson, making his first appearance for Wolves since joining from West Ham, pounced on a loose ball after a headed effort by Max Kilman was blocked from close range by Matip. The centre-back then blasted the ball through the bodies in the way to double the lead.
In the second-half, Ruben Neves went on to make it 3-0 to the home team when Adama Traore's excellent pass found him in the penalty area, setting him up for a fine finish.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: A victory against Liverpool would give a huge boost to Wolves' hopes of survival. They were third bottom of the table heading into the clash with the Reds. Liverpool, meanwhile, headed into this match on a three-game winless run in the Premier League.
WHAT NEXT? Wolves will try to increase their chances of surviving the drop when they take on fellow-strugglers Southampton in their next game while Liverpool will meet local rivals Everton, who beat Arsenal earlier on Saturday.