Player Ratings: Van Dijk and Konaté Lead Liverpool to Victory Over Wolves

The Premier League action resumes after a successful EFL third round cup tie, one that saw the reigning champions, Liverpool, overcome West Ham with an emphatic 5-1 score line. This weekend was a return to away days with a trip to Molineux.

The line up and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 8.0

The world class Brazilian stopper came back into the side at the expense of his Irish deputy, Caoimhin Kelleher. From the opening bell, the giant keeper was needed to keep the scores level, with Gary O’Neils men chasing and harrying to gain a first half advantage. As the match resumed, the 32-year-old was let down by Ibrahima Konaté, who did not communicate his actions to his no.1 before the equalizer.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 6.0

The England superstar came back into the starting eleven after his midweek rest. The opening stages of this encounter was frustrating in his decsion making, before impressing with some deliveries if not his shooting. In the second 45-minutes, the academy graduate was rallied in his work for the most part, though moments of lackluster were also apparent.

Andy Robertson – 6.0

The Scotland international captain replaced Kostas Tsimikas at left back, with a return for all first team starters. During that opening half at Wolves, the 30-year-old defender was under pressure against an eager opponent. Was purposeful with his delivery as the latter half picked up. As the encounter restarted, the former Hull man was lively and nearly thwarted the equalizer with a last ditch challenge.

Subbed – 89 mins

Ibrahima Konaté – 7.0

The France international defender took back his starting shirt after a week prior of three games and subsequent much needed rest thereafter. As the game began, the former RB Leipzig man mountain was a powerhouse in his work, as Wolves looked to gain the first half initiative. The breakthrough finally came later in that half as the giant rose above to score the opener. In the second period of play, the 6ft 4inch defender was guilty of being far too relaxed as his inability to clear his lines created the equalizer. The 25-year-old soon redeemed himself with a last ditch challenge to stop the shot.

⭐ Virgil van Dijk – 8.0 (Man of the match)

The captain and leader of this team was finally able to put his feet up on Wednesday evening, however, his importance to the first team elite meant a hasty return to the first team fold. As the first half began, the former Saints captain was needed to dispel sporadic attacks as his team struggled with the endevour of the hosts.

In the second half, the 33-year-old legend was the most consistent performer, as his teammates struggled to reach his levels.

Ryan Gravenberch – 7.0

The Dutch midfielder was recalled in place of the impressive Japan captain, Wataru Endō, at the base of the double pivot. In the opening stages, the former Ajax prodigy was bullied and harassed off the ball, as he struggled to get to grips with the occasion. After the break, the 21-year-old was better on and off the ball, as both he and Alexis were often outnumbered, it needed his ball carrying abilities.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.0

The Argentina World Cup winner has become the reds most vital midfielder and his return was always a certainty for the resumption of the Premier League schedule. In the opening period of this game, the former Brighton controller was uncharacteristically sloppy on the ball, as the pace of the encounter rose exponentially. As the game restarted, the 25-year-old was again not his usual elite level self, as the numbers in midfield swarmed around him and his mates.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0

The Hungarian captain is still finding his absolute positional feet in the no.10, however, the desire to bring his best levels to that role means a continual starting role in the games that matter the most. His power and tracking back was vital through the opening stages, as the reds struggled to get a grip on the game. Should have opened the scoring late in the half, with an a close range effort landing on the keeper. After the restart, the former RB Leipzig star was haphazard in his work, ad he struggled to make a valuable impact.

Subbed – 73 mins

Luis Díaz – 6.0

The Columbian flyer is now competing with Cody Gakpo for that left wing role, which has brought the absolute best form from each Anfield asset. In the opening stages of this contest, the former Porto winger was peripheral as he struggled to get a rhythm on the ball. After the half time break, the reds top scorer was loose in possession and unsure when to drift in and when to stay wide.

Subbed – 73 mins

Diogo Jota – 7.0

The Portuguese poacher was electric with his two goal brace in the midweek EFL Cup tie, therefore, a return to the weekend starting eleven was always on the Molineux cards. In the opening 45-minutes, the former Wolves attacker was close to making something happen, though always a little off in the moment. Supplied the assist late in the bag with a superb cross from deep. In the second half of this game, the 27-year-old was able to win the penalty to send his side ahead once again.

Mohamed Salah – 6.0

The Egyptian King was afforded a solid rest in the week, until his desire to get his boots on the Anfield grass saw him enter the fray and score a standard goal. At the start of this encounter, the 32-year-old was unlucky not be find himself clean through before being pulled down. As the half progressed, it was still hard to make a breakthrough, as the opening goal was created from the opposing flank. As the match resumed, the former Chelsea man was guilty of missing an open goal, as the counter press finally created a great opportunity to double the lead. A clinical penalty sent his team clear once again, after Wolves had somehow equalized.

Substitutions:

Curtis Jones – 6.0 (on 73)

Came on to add more desire and efficiency.

Cody Gakpo –  6.0 (on 73)

Came on to add more variety in attack.

Joe Gomez – N/A (on 89)

Came on.

The Manager:

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch manager was always going to revert back to the strongest starting eleven for this Premier League matchup, which meant an immediate return for his world class goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, as well as his midweek goalscorer, Diogo Jota.

The first half was a slow and uncoordinated attempt from the visitors to score the first goal, as the hosts ran harder and with more purpose to make the breakthrough. That breakthrough eventually came, which probably altered the tone of the half time team talk.

The second half was not much of an improvement, however, character was shown to get back ahead after that horrible equaliser.

The subs all made a positive difference, though the game state must improve against such teams.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Wolves 0 – 2 Liverpool