Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table by beating Wolves and could extend that advantage to 10 points if it can beat Aston Villa midweek. Next weekend, it then faces a trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City.

Luis Diaz scored and then won a penalty, which was converted by Mohamed Salah, in the first half, but Liverpool was penned in its own half for the second 45 minutes, failing to have a single shot on Jose Sa's goal. Arne Slot's men did just about get over the line and Liverpool.com has rounded up how the UK national media reacted to the game.

BBC: "After the unsavoury events of Wednesday's Merseyside derby, there were thoughts that Everton's 98th-minute equaliser might have rattled Liverpool in their hunt for a 20th league title. However, that did not prove to be the case initially with the hosts looking as determined as ever as they powered into a 1-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes through Diaz's determination.

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"With Salah doubling the lead from the penalty spot before half-time, the Reds could start to look towards a daunting week coming up. Liverpool held on at times during the second half after a brilliant Wolves display but three points is all that matters to Slot's men at this stage of the season.

"A Premier League trip to Villa Park awaits Liverpool on Wednesday night, with the fixture brought forward as a result of the Reds reaching the Carabao Cup final. Four days after taking on Unai Emery's Champions League-chasing Villa, Liverpool must take on old foes Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the league.

"Despite the up-and-down form of defending champions City this season, they are still more than capable of putting in a performance worthy of beating any side in Europe. If the Reds were to come through this next week with maximum points, then it would be a huge boost to their title credentials."

The Guardian: "A rare troubled week for Arne Slot ended in the relief of victory and the restoration of his side’s seven‑point lead at the top of the Premier League, yet concern lingers. Liverpool were given a serious fright by the relegation-threatened Wolves as nerves gripped Anfield for the first time this season. A potentially defining period awaits.

"Slot praised his players’ mentality after stoppage time passed without trauma, unlike at Goodison Park. But with trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City to come in the next week, he knows improvement is required.

"Liverpool have been serene for much of Slot’s debut season but this ranked as a crucial win from a scrappy performance. The type that wins titles. The leaders were indebted to the contributions of Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo — on as substitutes — for keeping Wolves’ second-half recovery at bay."

The Times: "There are moments in every season when the aesthetics no longer matter and everything is simply about winning. Wolverhampton Wanderers at home was not supposed to be that time for Liverpool, and that it transpired to be so offered an insight into how Arne Slot’s side feel about themselves right now.

"On top of the Premier League, of course, and with a seven-point lead re-established over Arsenal, this is also a period in which they are a little unsure of their game for perhaps the first time this season.

"Slot praised the mentality of his players but, deep down, will know they will have to perform more adeptly if they are to emerge unscathed from more testing assignments to come. Liverpool travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday, visit Manchester City next Sunday and, on February 26, host Newcastle United.

"With the culmination of that run, it will be clearer as to whether there really is a title race or not. Here, too many passes went astray — Liverpool’s passing accuracy of 82.5 per cent was their third-lowest in the league this term — and following on from their lowest shot count of the season at Goodison (six), they did not attempt a single effort after the break."

Daily Mail: "With about 10 minutes left to play at Anfield, Andy Robertson turned to the Kop and gestured for the fans to calm down. It was that sort of afternoon. The place was riddled with anxiety, probably a delayed-onset symptom of the Goodison Park hangover after Liverpool contrived to toss away a lead in the 98th minute on Wednesday.

"On the pitch, the players did not look too much calmer than those on the terraces. Their second-half performance was pockmarked by loose passes and half-hearted challenges, a lackadaisical mood spreading through the team.

"If Wolves had a bit more quality about them — aside from Matheus Cunha, they never really looked close to scoring — they would have got a point if not more. Liverpool invited them forward but they, like the home team, looked overcome with nerves and could not threaten."