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Liverpool's Champions League hopes took another blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers, conceding a 94th-minute winner after Alisson's costly error. It was the fifth time this season the Reds have lost a Premier League match due to a goal in stoppage time.
Wolverhampton 2-1 Liverpool: Alisson error proves costly
Liverpool dominated possession at Molineux but were left stunned as Wolverhampton Wanderers snatched all three points in dramatic fashion.
Arne Slot's side controlled the game but struggled to break down a resilient Wolves defence, hitting the crossbar in a frustrating first half. The warning signs were there that this could be another difficult afternoon for the defending champions.
The breakthrough came for Wolves 12 minutes from time, and Virgil van Dijk was at fault. The Dutch captain was easily outmuscled by substitute Tolu Arokodare in an aerial duel, allowing Rodrigo Gomes to collect the loose ball and chip a delightful finish over Alisson. It was Wolves' first shot on target of the entire match.
Liverpool responded quickly. Mohamed Salah punished a misplaced pass from the home side, curling a trademark finish with the outside of his left foot into the near corner to make it 1-1. A draw would have been a disappointing result, but at least the Reds appeared to have salvaged a point.
Then came the 94th minute. Alisson, usually so reliable, gave the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area. André pounced, and his deflected shot found the net to send Molineux into raptures. The Brazilian midfielder's goal sparked wild celebrations from the home fans, who have seen their side pull off remarkable results against both Arsenal (2-2) and now Liverpool this season.
Liverpool's stoppage-time curse
Incredibly, this was the fifth time Liverpool have lost a Premier League match this season due to a goal scored in added time:
| Date | Match | Result | Winning goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27 | Crystal Palace vs Liverpool | 2-1 | Stoppage time |
| Oct 4 | Chelsea vs Liverpool | 2-1 | Stoppage time |
| Jan 24 | Bournemouth vs Liverpool | 3-2 | Stoppage time |
| Feb 8 | Liverpool vs Man City | 1-2 | Stoppage time |
| Mar | Wolves vs Liverpool | 2-1 | 94th minute |
Liverpool have now lost nine Premier League matches this season – a stark contrast to their title-winning campaign last year.
Dutch contingent struggles
Four Dutch players started for Liverpool, but it was a forgettable night for all of them:
- Virgil van Dijk – At fault for the opening goal, outmuscled by Arokodare
- Ryan Gravenberch – Substituted at half-time after picking up a yellow card
- Cody Gakpo – Substituted midway through the second half
- Jeremie Frimpong – Substituted midway through the second half
Wolves' survival hopes alive
For Wolves, this was another stunning result in their fight against relegation. The bottom club have now taken points off both title contenders this season and will believe survival is still possible despite their precarious position.
The two sides will meet again in just three days in the FA Cup eighth-round at Molineux, giving Liverpool an immediate chance for revenge.
Tuesday's Result
- Wolverhampton 2-1 Liverpool (Gomes 78', André 90+4' – Salah 82')
Premier League standings (5th-8th)
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Liverpool | — | — |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | — | — |
Liverpool remain fifth, which should still be enough for Champions League qualification, but their inconsistent form is a concern for Slot.
