Wolves 0 Liverpool 3:LIVERPOOL ARE in so carefree a mood at present that they scarcely seemed to notice their hosts. That will be as disturbing for Wolverhampton Wanderers as the result itself because it entrenches the dread that they simply lack the talent necessary to avoid falling from the Premier League.
The substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake did hit the post, but his side were 3-0 down by then, with Dirk Kuyt having taken the final goal with an excellent shot from an angle on the right.
There was a contrast between these sides that involved more than the obvious superiority of Liverpool’s means. This match was of the utmost gravity for Wolves, as every fixture must be if they are to escape relegation. The visitors, industrious as they were, could never share in that mood and manager Kenny Dalglish had even given captain Steven Gerrard the night off.
No matter what claims are made, this occasion was secondary to a club that had so recently knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup. But that was of no help to Wolves in the first half.
The Molineux crowd might not have been truly excited until the 41st minute when Michael Kightly linked with Steven Fletcher before firing wide.
Until then, Liverpool had appeared more purposeful, even if that simply reflected greater talent. Craig Bellamy, who had been a substitute in the FA Cup win over Manchester United, relished his start here.
The remainder of the side were initially in the same mood, with Kuyt shooting off-target from an Andy Carroll knock-down in the third minute.
The pressure continued, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey blocking Daniel Agger’s header with his foot in the 25th minute. An air of tension was natural, with Liverpool looking as if they hungered to extend a winning run.
Molineux has been no stronghold of late and the side had not won since overcoming Sunderland at home on December 4th. That, indeed, was the last occasion they recorded a victory anywhere.
Wolves had notched a mere 25 goals in 22 Premier League matches ahead of this encounter. Establishing a lead and protecting it is a fraught business for Mick McCarthy’s squad.
Keeping the score at 0-0 until half-time was also uneasy work here. When Bellamy cut the ball back after 41 minutes, claims for a penalty were ignored although it did seem that the Wolves midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong made a little contact as he bundled into the back of Charlie Adam.
The ominous tone was no illusion. With 53 minutes gone Eggert Jonsson lost possession and Liverpool pounced. Carroll put his side ahead, converting Adam’s low ball from the left.
Vigorous though Wolves were, this had come to seem like another occasion when superior means would take their toll. That was confirmed by a second goal eight minutes later. The dynamic Bellamy fired an angled shot into the far corner of the net.
Liverpool continued to enjoy themselves. This is a side that has had too many setbacks not to relish the encouraging form they have now discovered.
Guardian Service
WOLVES:Hennessey, Foley, Berra, Johnson, Ward, Kightly (Hunt 62),Frimpong (Milijas 84), Jonsson (Ebanks-Blake 62), Jarvis, Edwards, Fletcher. Subs not used: De Vries, Elokobi, Stearman, Doyle. Booked: Edwards.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Agger (Carragher 81), Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Henderson, Spearing, Adam (Shelvey 81), Bellamy, Kuyt (Aurelio 90), Carroll. Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Downing, Kelly. Booked: Adam, Bellamy, Agger.
Referee: A Taylor(Cheshire).
