African Superstar Rescues Liverpool After VAR Drama
30 December, 2019
Result: Liverpool 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Date: 29 December 2019
Venue: Anfield
Liverpool ended the year with three points as Sadio Mane's solitary strike secured victory over Wolverhampton Wanders on Sunday evening.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp only made change from the win over Liecester City as Adam Lallana replaces Naby Keita in the midfield, while Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez were only named on the bench for Wolves.
The hosts dominated in the opening exchanges but were unable to make that dominance count as Mohamed Salah squandered a glorious opening after being played in by Trent Alexander-Arnold, while the Egyptian was denied by Rui Patrico moments after.
The visitors, meanwhile, were quite content to sit back and allow the Reds to have the ball although they failed to provide any threat on the counter-attack.
The breakthrough did arrive minutes before the halftime break Virgil van Dijk's long pass found Lallana, who knocked the ball into the of Mane to slot home from close range, while the Video Assistant Referee was unable to spot any handball after appeals from the Wolves players.
There was enough time for Wolves to grab an equaliser when Pedro Neto fired home into the far corner, but the goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee for an offside in the build-up.
In an attempt to claw their way back into the contest, Wolves coach Nuno Espírito Santo opted for a double change just before the hour mark as Traore and Saiss were brought on.
The double change improved the visitors' outlook going forward and they were nearly gifted a goal in the 76th minute when Diogo Jota robbed van Dijk of possession, but his stinging effort was palmed away by Alisson Becker.
Wolves only had themselves to blame for not bagging an equaliser as Joao Moutinho squandered two chances late in the game as the Reds held on to claim three points.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za