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Liverpool midfield question raised vs Wolves as Ibrahima Konate reaction spotted - 4 talking points

Ibrahima Konate celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Wolves.
-Credit: (Image: Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)


MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON // Liverpool moved top of the Premier League table with a not-altogether-convincing victory over Wolves. Mohamed Salah's penalty was the difference on a day where the Egyptian was largely kept quiet.

Ibrahima Konate had put Liverpool in front but his error when he attempted to leave the ball for Alisson Becker canceled out the Reds' lead. Salah's spot-kick only came a couple of minutes later.

Here are the four things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded. There was as much bad as good on the day, in many respects, with Konate having a mixed afternoon. Crucially, however, the points were secured.

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Luis Diaz form continues

Darwin Nunez didn't travel with the team for the match because the Uruguayan had picked up an illness. After he played well and scored against Bournemouth last time out in the Premier League, it was something of a blow for the 25-year-old striker.

But heading into the game, it was Luis Diaz's goalscoring exploits this season that have seen him dramatically improve under Slot. It isn't only that which he has done better on this year so far, but finding the back of the net regularly has certainly helped. His overall game has come on, undoubtedly helped by the confidence that he has gained from scoring so often.

Luis Diaz played well for Liverpool down the left.
Luis Diaz played well for Liverpool down the left. -Credit:Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

The Colombian was slightly quieter here but he was still an out ball for Liverpool. The 27-year-old was able to help his team up the pitch at times, which is an underrated element of what Sadio Mane brought to the table at Anfield. He didn't score, but he did play his part.

Ibrahima Konate has a mixed afternoon

Liverpool had created little until near the end of the first half when Dominik Szoboszlai somehow missed from six yards but fortunately for the Hungarian, Konate showed him how it was done. The center-back rose above Toti Gomes and slammed home a header from Diogo Jota's cross.

Konate was looking dominant in both boxes and the Frenchman had impressed until his error that allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to equalize. Jorgen Strand Larsen looks like he can be a handful when he is at his best but he had little room to work in here aside from during that mix-up.

-Credit:2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency
-Credit:2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency

A performance that was nearly perfect until a big mistake, he also made a good block when Carlos Forbes broke away and shot from a dangerous position. He got away with the error that he made and did well for the remainder of the match, in general. He was certainly relieved to see a penalty given (and Salah score) just after his potentially costly moment.

Arne Slot midfield toils

This was not the best performance that Alexis Mac Allister will put in for the Reds. It wasn't as bad as last year on the same ground but still, he wasn't at his purring best, particularly in the first half.

Szoboszlai missed an open goal and while he got through plenty of running, he still has more to do to improve in the final third. And Ryan Gravenberch, while far from poor, was not at his peak in terms of sharpness and aggression.

Curtis Jones will be knocking on the door for more opportunities. The number 10 role, you would think, would be the most up for grabs. It was Szoboszlai who Jones replaced here and he did pretty well.

Premier League takes shape

Manchester City, in its first match of an extended period without Rodri, was able to pick up only a point against Newcastle United at St James' Park earlier, while it took Arsenal until the fourth minute of added time to overcome Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

It looks like there is going to be a proper title race this season and while Liverpool hasn't always been mentioned in that conversation, it will want to be a central part of that even if it goes under the radar for the time being. The Reds didn't play anything like their best here but got the job done.

The sign of a title challenge? Arne Slot will just hope to keep on winning. The Liverpool away end afforded itself a rendition of 'Liverpool, top of the league', but work will need to be done to improve the performance level in the future.