Wolves came up just short in their latest Premier League outing against Liverpool, suffering a 2-1 defeat at Anfield, despite a brilliant strike from Matheus Cunha that almost made it a memorable day for the visitors. The defeat meant Wolves missed the chance to extend their gap from the relegation zone to five points, but there were many positives to take from the performance, especially given the quality of their play in the second half.
Facing the Premier League table-toppers in Liverpool, who had been in excellent form, Wolves knew it would be a tough challenge. The Anfield crowd, always intimidating, was expecting a dominant performance from their side. However, Wolves applied themselves well from the start, playing with resilience and focus. Despite conceding early goals from Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah, Wolves were far from out of the contest. In fact, they delivered one of the best second-half performances seen against Liverpool at Anfield in quite some time.
A key moment in the match came from Matheus Cunha, who once again proved his worth to Wolves with a stunning goal in the 56th minute. With Liverpool leading 2-0, Cunha took control of the ball just outside the box, shifted it onto his weaker left foot, and fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner, giving Alisson no chance. It was a moment of real quality, something that only a handful of players can produce. Cunha’s ability to make such an impactful strike, even with his weaker foot, demonstrated his raw talent and why Wolves invested in him. It was an incredible reminder of the Brazilian’s potential, and it set up a nervy finish for Liverpool, who found themselves under pressure from a Wolves side that was increasingly dangerous.
Despite Cunha’s goal giving the visitors a glimmer of hope, Wolves were ultimately unable to find an equalizer. They were unlucky in the sense that they had Liverpool on the back foot in the second half but couldn’t quite produce the cutting edge to convert their dominance into another goal. Liverpool, for their part, were relieved to hold on to the lead, but it’s telling that they didn’t manage a single shot on target in the second half — something that hasn’t happened in a Premier League match at Anfield since the 2003/04 season. This stat speaks volumes about the way Wolves pressed and played after the break, limiting Liverpool’s attacking opportunities and creating problems for them with every attacking move.
In the aftermath of the match, Cunha took to social media to express his pride in the team’s effort, posting: “We gave our all! ⚽️🐺” It was a message that resonated with most fans, who recognized the team’s commitment and fight, especially in the second half. There was no lack of effort from Wolves, and their performance at Anfield showcased that they have the ability to compete with the best, even in challenging circumstances. The penalty decision that led to Liverpool’s second goal — awarded for a foul on Luis Díaz by goalkeeper José Sá — will undoubtedly be a talking point in the days to come. Jamie Redknapp and Jermain Defoe disagreed on the fairness of the penalty, which adds fuel to the ongoing debate, but Wolves fans can at least take some solace in the fact that the team played with a strong mentality despite the controversy.
One of the biggest positives for Wolves in the defeat was Cunha’s form. He’s had his ups and downs in terms of fitness since joining the club, but his recent performances — including this goal — are a sign that he’s finally finding his rhythm. Cunha has already shown flashes of brilliance since signing his new contract, and his goal against Liverpool was the kind of moment that makes fans excited for what’s to come. If Cunha can stay fit and maintain this form, he will be an essential player for Wolves as they fight to stay in the Premier League.
While Wolves ultimately came up short, the performance against Liverpool is one that they can build on. Vitor Pereira’s side will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have secured any points, especially after such a strong second-half showing, but there’s no doubt that Wolves will take a lot of heart from how they pushed one of the league’s top teams to the edge. The defeat doesn’t diminish the effort and the improvements shown in this match.
Wolves will need to take this level of performance into their upcoming matches, as they aim to climb further away from the relegation zone. They’ve shown that they can play well against the best teams in the league, but now they need to ensure they find that clinical edge in front of goal. If Cunha can stay fit and continue to perform like this, he will play a major role in their survival hopes. While the defeat stings, the way Wolves played at Anfield has given their supporters hope that they can fight for their Premier League status with confidence.