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APPROPRIATELY, it was a collegiate error by a former Liverpool collegiate that set the champions on track for another Anfield victory, but this one was far more memorable than most of those who have preceded it on Jurgen Klopp’s watch.
For the first time in 271 days since the ill-fated Champions League encounter with Atlético de Madrid, fans were allowed in at Anfield, and the 2,000 at The Kop made their presence felt to the rhythm of a crowd ten times larger.
And, for the first time in three decades, those lucky fans were able to say that they had fulfilled their dream of seeing defending champions Liverpool, live and in person.
Anfield got their voice back, the biggest sign so far that Britain might be moving towards some kind of normalcy, at least on their sports fields, as goals from Mo Salah, Georginio Wijnaldum, Joel Matip and an own goal by the Wolves explained the defeat.
The performance may not last long in the memory and neither will the result, given that Liverpool have already been undefeated 65 league games at home.
But as Jurgen Klopp enthusiastically greeted the lucky 2,000 as he entered the field for warm-ups and sported a huge Cheshire cat grin as “You will never walk alone” echoed throughout the stadium, the sense of occasion was inevitable.
It was certainly a great occasion for Cork goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who made his league debut at the age of 22 after his midweek heroics in the Champions League, and his appearance obviously surprised the Liverpool player who printed “ Kellher ”on his shirt.
The youngster made a solid early stop, kicking his feet quickly to tip a clever Daniel Podence chip around his post, earning a standing ovation from The Kop behind him in the process.
“He had a very good game. Goalkeepers are about saves and he was brilliant. Other than that, it’s about contribution and what it can bring, ”Klopp said.
“That makes him a really special talent.
“He is very calm with the ball and uses it calmly. Technically, he stands out with his feet. Playing the main part of your youth soccer as an outfield player helps. It’s good to have it. “
But despite a brilliant and agile opening from visitors to Nuno Espirito Santo, fighting valiantly following the loss of key forward Raúl Jiménez to a skull fracture last week, there was an air of inevitability in Liverpool’s opener in the minute. 24.
He was scored by Salah, but got a great assist from Wolves England international defender Conor Coady, a Liverpool fan as a young man and a product of the Anfield academy who actually made a substitute appearance for the first team before leaving six years ago.
A long, hopeful ball from Jordan Henderson should have been a matter of course for Coady, who, instead of clearing it, tried to control it with his chest, directing it directly to Salah, who scored his ninth goal in 10 league games to pass Rui Patricio.
Coady was also involved in the other big talking point of the first half, and it again didn’t work out well for Liverpool, who fell to the ground in the last minute after a challenge from Sadio Mane.
Referee Craig Pawson instantly pointed to the spot, though the abuse Henderson threw at Coady’s direction suggested the local contingent disagreed.
They were right. Pawson walked over to his field monitor and quickly learned that there had been no contact, although, after canceling the penalty, why the referee did not hire Coady for the simulation was another matter.
At least the right decision had been made and Klopp could avoid one of his usual outbursts about another VAR injustice, real or not, while Liverpool clung to their slim lead.
Kelleher, now changed to a shirt with his correct name, made a good catch shortly after the restart, his every action seemed to inspire confidence not only in him but in his teammates.
And Liverpool quickly set out to find the cushion for a second goal with Mane displaying a great touch of control and firing a stabbing half volley directly at Patricio.
The Senegal forward should have done better too, after excellent passes from Salah and Andy Robertson, but he was only able to shoot wide, meekly, from 12 yards.
The wolves, who had warmed up with T-shirts bearing Jiménez’s name, clearly missed the Mexican goal threat and when an opportunity presented itself in the 58th minute, in a set piece, it was Coady’s turn, who was deflected by Fabinho.
It proved a costly miss, in a matter of seconds, as Henderson played a simple pass from inside his own half to Wijnaldum that sent Liverpool on the fast break, three on two.
The Dutchman had options but did not need them, launching himself in an absolutely unstoppable and precise shot towards the upper right corner.
The outcome was decided and the only question was how many more the Reds would score. The answer was two, starting in the 67th minute when, from a short corner, Salah fired on an exquisite center that Matip headed firmly from six meters.
Ten minutes later, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who fell in again, as a substitute, reminded his teammates of his incredible shooting skills, majestically crossing to the far post where Mane slipped and converted via a touch off by defender Nelson Semedo. .
“It was a perfect night,” Klopp said. “Imagine 10 months ago, if I had said we would have 2,000 people present for a game, we would have said, okay, that’s a crisis!
“But when we went out to warm up we had goose bumps, I said ‘OMG!’
“I said before, I had no idea what it would be like, how we will feel. But it was perfect, the noise, what people did, you could see, feel and smell, they had waited so long.
“This game would not be the game we love without fans. It’s so good and more enjoyable when people are involved. “
Kelleher 7; N Williams 6 (Alexander-Arnold 68, 7), Matip 7, Fabinho 7, Robertson 8; Jones 7, Henderson 7 (Keita 81), Wijnaldum 7; Salah 9, Firmino 6 (Jota 73, 6), Mane 7.
Adrian, Minamino, Tsimikas, Phillips.
Rui Patricio 6; Semedo 5, Boly 6, Coady 5, Marcal 5; Moutinho 5, Neves 5 (Silva 62, 5), Dendoncker 6; Traore 8, Podence 6 (Ait-Nouri 71, 5), Neto 6 (Vitinha 79, 6). Subs (not used) Ruddy, Hoever, Saiss, Kilman.
C Pawson 8
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