Perhaps Jürgen Klopp should continue to complain when his players react this way when they feel like the world is against them.
Klopp’s latest complaint – that he was given kick-off on Saturday afternoon when four of his key players had just flown back from South America – initially appeared to backfire as Liverpool looked as tired in the first half as their manager had feared.
But trailing 1-0 they found renewed energy and spirit to complete a remarkable turnaround and achieve comeback wins at Bournemouth and Newcastle earlier this season.
Mo Salah, kept out of the clutches of Saudi Arabia, had a hand in all three goals as Liverpool ended their hoodoo at 12.30 having failed to win any of their six early games last season.
They are now unbeaten in the Premier League since April 1, a run of 16 games, and stand-in captain Andy Robertson could not have found a better way to mark his 200th top-flight appearance than by scoring the decisive second goal close to the Premier League. end.
Mohamed Salah (pictured) played a key role in providing three assists during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolves at Molineux
Hwang Hee-chan (pictured) scored after seven minutes to give Liverpool an early lead
Cody Gakpo (centre) leveled after a cross from Salah during half-time
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‘We weren’t ready in the first half. We weren’t there,” Klopp admitted. “They were a disorganized team, as if they had just met in the parking lot.
‘But I’ve been in football long enough to know that I shouldn’t get into huge problems.
“The team needed some help with personnel and system changes, but then they were able to make it happen. It was a very different game in the second half and for over 90 minutes we deserved the win.”
World Cup winner Mac Allister was hooked at half-time, having only returned to Merseyside on Friday from international duty in Argentina, and was given an early warning for a foul on Matheus Cunha.
“I don’t think he minded being sent off, maybe a little bit relieved,” Klopp admitted. “You could see his legs just weren’t there.”
Wolves fans will probably be scratching their heads at the end result.
They felt a shock when Liverpool missed Virgil van Dijk (suspended) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) and Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from the bench after their long journeys.
After seven minutes, Pedro Neto skimmed past Joe Gomez on the first of many occasions, and when his cross whizzed past a makeshift Reds defense, Hwang Hee-Chan beat Robertson to set aside his third goal in four games.
Andy Robertson (centre) put Liverpool ahead, driving into Wolves’ penalty area to tap in with his left foot
Harvey Elliott’s (right) deflected shot at Hugo Bueno helped Liverpool add a third goal to their tally
Despite conceding early, Liverpool have now extended their unbeaten league run to 16 games, stretching back to April
The visitors couldn’t string two passes together and Diogo Jota and Mac Allister both made gestures to show their displeasure at the lack of movement around them.
However, Wolves could not capitalize on a superb second goal while on top, with Neto firing into the side netting and debutant Jean-Ricner Bellegarde attempting a backheel at the wrong time.
Liverpool’s only consolation was limiting the score to one and finishing the half stronger, with Salah having a shot blocked by Mario Lemina and Jose Sa keeping out Dominik Szoboszlai’s rebound.
After Diaz replaced Mac Allister, who had been booked for an early foul on Matheus Cunha, the tide turned completely. Wolves were guilty of protecting what they had, and Liverpool grew in confidence.
Klopp even managed to impress with a double substitution before they entered the field.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott stood stripped on the touchline waiting to go on when the front three of Diogo Jota, Salah and Cody Gakpo spotted them and were inspired to combine for the equalizer after 55 minutes.
Salah was the standout, recording his third, fourth and fifth assists in the Premier League this season
Salah’s low cross was touched by the Dutchman who had scored twice for his country in the European Championship qualifiers, but it bought him no more time. Klopp stuck to his guns and still replaced him with Nunez before the match resumed.
Nunez set up as usual and came close to taking the visitors’ lead, thwarted by a combination of Sa and Max Kilman.
But the momentum towards Liverpool was irresistible and Robertson was finally rewarded for his daring breakthroughs into the Wolves half.
A poor goal kick from Sa was intercepted by Elliott who fed Salah. The Egyptian played a clever pass for Robertson, who burst into the penalty area and slotted home a neat finish like a natural goalscorer.
“Robbo wasn’t the only senior player, we had Alisson and Mo (Salah), but he is important for us,” Klopp said.
“If you look at the statistics, he almost always plays, and that’s not because he’s a nice guy, which he is, but because of what he does for us.
‘He can be proud of this big number, 200. To score in a match like that is great. That wouldn’t have been possible without the changes from the first half to allow him to get into the penalty area.’
The result puts Jurgen Klopp’s side (pictured) at the top of the Premier League with 13 points
Gary O’Neil’s team (pictured) have lost four of their last five league matches so far this season
Wolves heads fell despite the announcement of eight minutes of stoppage time and Liverpool finished the job with a third goal. Salah was involved again, setting up Elliott, whose shot deflected off Hugo Bueno and the post before curling into the net.
“Mo is always there when we need him,” praised Klopp.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has work to do despite so much promise in their performances.
“It was a crazy second goal to get,” he said. “They played pretty loose and they’ve been doing that for a long time. But against teams like Liverpool we are ultimately not judged by results.’