The Joe Edwards debrief - Wolves 0 Liverpool 1
It was a performance which had much more intent and aggression about it, but the story of Wolves’ campaign carried on against Liverpool.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side certainly gave last season’s champions a run for their money.
They did not take their chances, though, and were made to pay by the Reds – Diogo Jota predictably grabbing the winner on his return to Molineux.
So, let’s go over the main talking points from the game.
Patricio’s OK
First things first, it is a relief to hear Rui Patricio did not sustain a serious injury as he collided with Conor Coady late on.
It was a sickening incident and all too familiar, given the similarities to Raul Jimenez’s head blow at Arsenal earlier this season – requiring thorough attention and being taken off on a stretcher.
Thankfully, Patricio was conscious after the game.
He is understood to be fine and not set to face an extended spell on the sidelines.
All the best to the 33-year-old as he continues to be monitored closely by the club.
Moutinho masterclass
Focusing on the game now, a definite positive to come out of the 1-0 loss was the display of Joao Moutinho.
He is a player that has come in for criticism this season, and understandably so as he not been at the level we have been used to for a lot of it.
But the 34-year-old rolled back the years against Liverpool and proved there is life in the old dog yet.
Moutinho oozed class as he weaved his through crowds of red shirts in the middle of the park. His passing was crisp and his appetite very clear.
Wolves, it is fair to say, need to have a look at the midfield in the summer in their quest for more goals.
But the Portuguese veteran still has a lot to offer. Against the ‘big six’ sides in particular, his presence can be invaluable.
Moutinho has been there and done it. He has that top-level experience most footballers can only dream of.
Father time is undefeated, of course, and next season would appear to be a good time to use him more cleverly.
But he is still a smooth operator and, when playing as he did here, an utter delight to watch.
Willy Boly’s return to the fold was welcome, too. Fingers crossed, he can have a solid end to what has been a stop-start campaign with injuries.
Jota’s winner
It just had to be him, didn’t it? As many may have suspected, Jota’s first game back at Molineux saw him get the all-important goal.
And his strike displayed what has, mainly, gone wrong for Wolves this term.
They just did not do a good enough job of replacing all the goals they lost last summer.
Jota – a productive player throughout his time in gold and black – only needed one chance to make his mark.
Wolves’ frontline, meanwhile, huffed and puffed with Willian Jose having a lot more urgency about him in the first half while Adama Traore, naturally, caused problems with his sheer pace and power.
Fabio Silva later came on and got into some decent positions. But, crucially, the final touch was not there.
The onus is on finding another player like Jota now.
Rest of season
For now, though, the aim is to finish the campaign in a decent manner.
They have a decent run of fixtures coming up as well.
Next up is West Ham on April 5, before facing Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Albion and Brighton.
The final three fixtures against Tottenham, Everton and Manchester United, of course, are more difficult.
But with 27 points on offer, Wolves should be aiming to pick up at least 15 and finish on 50 for the season. That seems a realistic target for them.
