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THE NOTEBOOK: Jurgen Klopp keeps faith with Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho as Liverpool boss talks to referee Paul Tierney… as Stefan Bajcetic thrills Anfield with a tackle on Matheus Nunes
Mohamed Salah maintained his record of scoring at least 20 per season each year at Liverpool as his goal helped secure a 2-0 win over Wolves, moving them closer to the top four in the Premier League.
The Egypt international deflected a cross from Kostas Tsimikas in the 77th minute to double the lead given by Virgil van Dijk’s header moments earlier for his 127th league goal for the club.
It put him one behind Robbie Fowler, who ranks sixth on the Reds’ all-time league scoring list, and secured a close victory that brought his tally to 10 points out of the last 12 and moved them within two. fourth place wins. Tottenham with a game in hand.
Goals from Liverpool’s two most experienced players on the pitch kept up their momentum, which had been in danger of stalling after Saturday’s disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
DOMINIC KING from Sportsmail takes a look at some of the things you may have missed.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a close-range header against Wolves.
Klopp keeps the faith
The form is very temporary in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp.
He chafed last week when Virgil van Dijk came under fire, making clear he “comes from a different age” where snap judgments carry no weight.
Van Dijk will be given time and so will Fabinho, whose form this season has left many baffled.
He had been one of the best central midfielders in Europe, but this year he showed nothing like those levels, raising questions about his future.
Klopp has acknowledged the problems with the Brazilian’s consistency but will have been pleased with what he saw against Wolves – one moment in particular, when he leaped from the shadows to dispossess Matheus Nunes in the 10th minute in the Wolves penalty area. , as significant. .
sideline fight
Fascinating to watch the interactions between Jurgen Klopp, referee Paul Tierney and fourth official Graham Scott throughout the night.
Liverpool have never forgotten Tierney’s performance at Tottenham in December 2021 when he failed to send off Harry Kane and never awarded them a clear penalty for a Diogo Jota foul.
Let’s just say the discussions here were lively.
Dawson will be key
Wolves did a lot of business in January and the decision to recruit Craig Dawson from West Ham still looks smart.
He has always been an excellent professional, ever since his days as an England Under-21 international.
He will be a key figure in the remainder of the season.
Bajcetic thrills Anfield with a tackle
One thing that will always lift Anfield up is a tackle and, once again, Stefan Bajcetic showed why he has so quickly earned a place in the affections.
The 18-year-old dove back in the sixth minute to assault Nunes, a player who may yet be his teammate next season, and neatly won the ball, much to the appreciation of the home crowd.
Melee after spot kicks
Liverpool beat Porto on penalties and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Youth League
Pre-match entertainment on the TVs in the press room was provided by Liverpool’s Under-19 side who knocked Porto out of the UEFA Youth League 6-5 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.
That only tells a fraction of the story, however, as Jesús Díaz, the younger brother of Liverpool striker Luis, missed one of Porto’s decisive penalty kicks.
It all got very hectic at the end with a riot erupting and Ben Doak, who has played for the senior team this season, leaving the field with a swollen lip.
An energetic youngster from Glasgow, Doak is a player Liverpool hold in high regard and you can be sure they will be watching Diaz Junior’s progress in Portugal as well.