Liverpool boss Arne Slot relieved as Reds edge out Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League - 'We got worse and worse'

Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as they secured a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. Speaking after the win, Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot praised his team for holding on for three points, but conceded they had failed to maintain their standards over the course of the match.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was relieved to secure a 2-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League after saying his team had got "worse and worse".

Luis Diaz scored for the home side after 15 minutes, and Mohamed Salah then made it two on 37 minutes from the spot. 

The deficit was cut to one when Wolves striker Matheus Cunha continued his good form with a 67th-minute strike. 

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Liverpool were able to hold onto their lead but survived some nervy moments. The win lifts them to seven points clear of their nearest rivals Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Speaking to the BBC, Slot praised his opponents for growing into the match, and also his own players for grinding out a win.

He said: "It was mentally difficult [in] the second half because we thought we scored the third, then thought we got a penalty, both situations were correctly handled by the referee.

Mo Salah celebrates scoring for Liverpool

Image credit: Getty Images

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"They got better and better, we got worse and worse. We had to show a different mentality, which we did and got it over the line.

"In a season like this we have played so many great games, but in a season you want to win something, you have to win the difficult ones as well when you are not playing your best. We were so close on Wednesday. This time we did survive.

"If you want to achieve something it is not only about bringing the ball out from the back or Mo scoring goals, it is also about defending."

Liverpool play Aston Villa in midweek – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – and another win would reinforce their title credentials. Slot has identified Arsenal as their main rivals.

He added: "If you look at the last few seasons it has mostly been a battle between two teams. 

"As things stand now, it mostly looks like between us and Arsenal. I believe they have a 15-point unbeaten run and I think at the start of that we were seven points clear of them, and we still are now. So it tells you how well they are doing but also how well we are doing."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Pereira left 'frustrated'

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira agreed his side had improved as the match continued, telling Sky Sports: "I'm frustrated because our first half was not good. I think we showed a lot of respect to them, and we cannot play like this. We must play our game. At half-time, I asked the team to press them in our way and we did a fantastic second half. The second goal was not possible, but I think we deserved it.

"The first half was a lot of respect, too much respect. We cannot play football this way. We like to press high and to create chances, have the ball and play with courage.

"Everything I can say now will not change the decision. I have my opinion, but I keep it to myself. It is better not to speak about referees.

"Second yellow card, maybe. It would be different, but it is what it is. I am not a referee. I am very happy, very proud of my players for what we did in the second half. I don't care if it's Liverpool or another team, it's about my team. I want to see the courage to play. Next time, we need to realise that we have quality, and we need to play with it.

"Second half was fantastic. I remember Liverpool with a lot of difficulties to stop us."

Wolves travel to Bournemouth next Saturday as they look to improve their league position. They currently sit in 17th spot.

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