Recap

Liverpool 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers — Gritty Anfield Victory Sees Reds Hold On After Wolves Fightback

Liverpool edged Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 at Anfield after two quickfire first-half strikes put the home side in control and Wolves pulled a goal back early in the second half but could not find an equaliser.

Match overview and final score

• Final score: Liverpool 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
• Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 18 (2025/26 season).

Key moments

• Two quick goals just before half-time changed the tone of the game, with Ryan Gravenberch opening the scoring and Florian Wirtz following up inside the space of around 90 seconds to put Liverpool 2–0 up going into the break.
• Wolves responded early in the second half when Santi Bueno reduced the deficit by side‑footing home from close range after a corner, giving Wolves renewed belief and making the final 45 tense.
• Despite Wolves’ pressure and moments of acute danger from set pieces and crosses, Liverpool defended robustly to preserve the lead and take all three points.

Standout players

• Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) — Opened the scoring with a well‑timed finish; his goal set the platform for Liverpool’s control before half‑time.
• Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) — Scored Liverpool’s second in quick succession after Gravenberch’s opener and helped sustain Liverpool’s attacking momentum in the first half.
• Santi Bueno (Wolves) — The visitors’ goalscorer, whose composed finish from close range after a corner gave Wolves a lifeline early in the second half.
• Goalkeepers — Both keepers were called into action; Liverpool’s goalkeeper made important saves to keep Wolves at bay during their second‑half resurgence.

Tactical and match-flow notes

• Liverpool struck decisively just before half‑time, turning a tight contest into a two‑goal advantage in the space of about a minute and a half, which forced Wolves to chase the game after the break.
• Wolves showed resilience after half‑time, with the set‑piece that led to Santi Bueno’s goal illustrating their threat from dead‑ball situations and the way they capitalised on a brief period of Liverpool pressure loss.
• After Wolves’ goal, the visitors grew into the match and created sustained pressure, but Liverpool’s defensive organisation and key interventions prevented an equaliser.

Significant incidents and moments of note

• The two‑goal swing inside 90 seconds at the end of the first half was the decisive sequence in the match and effectively defined the contest’s outcome.
• Wolves’ early second‑half corner that resulted in Santi Bueno’s finish was the pivotal moment that made the final period nervy for Liverpool, who had to withstand a wave of Wolves chances thereafter.
• There was at least one crucial stop by Wolves’ goalkeeper and one important save by Liverpool’s keeper during the game’s more dangerous passages, underlining how fine margins decided the result.

Context and implications

• The victory keeps Liverpool moving positively in the Premier League table and provided a timely three points at Anfield.
• For Wolves, the result was a demonstration of character — they showed they could fight back at a difficult away venue — but they ultimately left Anfield empty‑handed after failing to convert late pressure into an equaliser.

Match highlights and official recaps show Liverpool’s two rapid first‑half goals as the match’s defining sequence, with Wolves’ early second‑half reply adding drama but not enough to change the outcome.