Liverpool

Liverpool player ratings vs Wolves: Virgil van Dijk & Mohamed Salah awaken Anfield with desperately needed goals

Peter McVitie
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Virgil van Dijk celebrate goal Liverpool Wolves 2022-23
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Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah brought a positive ending to what was otherwise a disappointing performance from Liverpool

Mohamed Salah proved he cannot be considered down and out as he was among the goals in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Wolves on Wednesday.

The Egyptian star had a quiet and frustrating game for the most part but he popped up at a vital moment to put the win beyond doubt for Jurgen Klopp's men.

His goal came just four minutes after Virgil van Dijk had headed in the opening goal, with the centre-back proving important at both ends of the pitch in a win that keeps the Anfield team in with a slight chance of a top-four finish.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Alisson (6/10):

    Had one nervy moment in the second half but dealt with everything else well enough. He distributed some nice long balls.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

    A lively performance from the right-back, who created some danger and was stable in defence.

    Ibrahim Konate (6/10):

    Back in the team for the first time since late-January and looked comfortable alongside his centre-back partner.

    Virgil van Dijk (8/10):

    Solid at the back once again as he cleared the danger whenever it came to him. Got two attempts to knock in the winner, finally nodding in from close range from a Diogo Jota cross.

    Kostas Tsimikas (7/10):

    Called on to start ahead of Robertson and looked solid while pushing up to help Nunez on the wing. Did remarkably well to set up the second goal.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Harvey Elliott (6/10):

    Saw a couple of first half opportunities go awry but was always pushing up in an attempt to create danger.

    Fabinho (7/10):

    Fought hard to win the ball all over the field, an improvement on many of his recent displays.

    Stefan Bajcetic (7/10):

    Another bright performance from the teenager, who was perhaps the Reds' best midfielder in this match. Was digging in to win the ball and got into the Wolves box whenever he could.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Mohamed Salah (5/10):

    An unusually tame performance from the Egyptian star, who was kept quiet by Wolves and could not combine with his co-stars at all until he diverted in the second goal.

    Darwin Nunez (7/10):

    Created good chances in the first half and was always looking to create danger in a strong display. Quick as lightning. Well-positioned to lash home but his second-half goal was disallowed.

    Diogo Jota (7/10):

    He tried hard and linked up with his team-mates but few moves worked out the way he wanted until his quick reaction saw him set up Van Dijk's goal.

  5. Subs & Manager

    Cody Gakpo (7/10):

    Replaced Diogo Jota with 15 minutes left and made an immediate impact as he was involved in the second goal.

    Jordan Henderson (6/10):

    A late swap for Bajcetic but could not make much of an impact.

    Roberto Firmino (N/A):

    Replaced Darwin Nunez at the end.

    James Milner (N/A):

    Took Trent Alexander-Arnold's place with minutes left.

    Jurgen Klopp (7/10):

    His team were set up well to dominate the game but had a hard time creating golden opportunities. Selecting Tsimikas over Andy Robertson was a smart one as the left-back was solid as the left-back set up the crucial second.