In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Wolves’ André delivered a last-gasp winner that left Liverpool reeling and piled even more pressure on manager Arne Slot. But here's where it gets controversial—was this a moment of brilliance from Wolves or a glaring failure from Liverpool’s defense? Let’s dive in.
Even before André’s 94th-minute heroics, this match was anything but the stress-free outing Slot had hoped for. Just as Mohamed Salah seemed to have salvaged a point for Liverpool against the Premier League’s bottom club, André’s deflected shot slipped past Alisson, securing Wolves’ second league win in five days—a stark contrast to their six-month wait for their first victory back in January. Slot, visibly deflated, now faces the alarming reality of a fifth stoppage-time defeat this season. Meanwhile, Wolves are suddenly on a roll, savoring every moment of their unexpected surge.
For Wolves head coach Rob Edwards, this was déjà vu. ‘It’s not great for my heart, but I could get used to it,’ he quipped. Just last Friday, he sprinted down the touchline in celebration, only to pull his calf muscle after Wolves’ second goal sealed a win against rivals Aston Villa. This time, his reaction to André’s strike—which ricocheted off Joe Gomez and floored Liverpool—was equally exuberant. Eyes wide with delight, Edwards booted a ball off a pitch-side cone and dashed off to relish another unforgettable moment in a grueling season. Gomez, a second-half substitute, buried his face in his red shirt, while Slot looked punch-drunk. Liverpool, humbled by the league’s last-placed side, were left to pick up the pieces.
And this is the part most people miss—the winner wasn’t just luck. It stemmed from Alisson’s rushed clearance, which Jackson Tchatchoua headed right back into danger. André pounced on the ball 35 yards out, took aim, and fired. Virgil van Dijk, already at fault for Wolves’ opener courtesy of Rodrigo Gomes, turned his back, and Gomez’s attempted block fell short. As the Wolves players piled on in celebration, André and João Gomes were the last to emerge, their joy uncontainable. By the end, Edwards was fist-pumping in front of the Wolves supporters—a gesture reminiscent of Slot’s predecessor.
Wolves took the lead with just 12 minutes of regular time remaining, Rodrigo Gomes’s clinical finish capping a well-worked attack that will haunt Van Dijk. Liverpool, though struggling, found a lifeline through Salah, who sprang to life after an otherwise anonymous performance. Yet, here’s a thought-provoking question: Should Salah have set up Dominik Szoboszlai for an easy tap-in instead of going for glory himself? The Egyptian failed to spot his unmarked teammate as Liverpool surged forward, a missed opportunity that could have changed the game.
Liverpool’s recent form has been unconvincing. Their 5-2 win over West Ham flattered to deceive, and their late victory at Nottingham Forest was far from assured. At Molineux, the first half offered little hope. Salah’s fading powers were on full display, and Liverpool labored throughout, managing just two shots on goal—one from Cody Gakpo straight at José Sá and a speculative effort from Szoboszlai.
Slot made changes at halftime, bringing on Curtis Jones for Ryan Gravenberch. Jones made an immediate impact, nearly scoring from a corner in the 50th minute, but a bizarre intervention from Gakpo—who inadvertently hooked the ball against Jones’s chest—denied him. It was a strange moment, emblematic of Liverpool’s struggles. Hugo Ekitiké flicked the ball on, and as Jones lurked at the back post, Gakpo’s mishap sent the ball looping onto the crossbar, with Milos Kerkez unable to capitalize on the rebound.
Wolves, however, showed the composure of champions, seizing the lead in the 78th minute. Substitute Tolu Arokodare brilliantly positioned himself between Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, laying the ball off for Rodrigo Gomes, who surged into the space vacated by Konaté. Despite Van Dijk’s desperate attempt to recover, Gomes’s deft toe-poke lifted the ball over a stunned Alisson.
Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s young substitute, nearly turned the tide again—just as he did in their win at Forest—striking the post minutes after Wolves’ goal. Salah then seemed poised to rescue his side, beating Sá with a clever shot off the outside of his left boot. But Wolves had other plans, and the bad news for Slot is that Liverpool return to Molineux on Friday for the FA Cup fifth round. Edwards admits they may have ‘poked the bear.’ ‘We’ve probably made them quite angry now, so we’ll see,’ he said.
What do you think? Was this Wolves’ triumph or Liverpool’s collapse? Are Salah’s best days behind him? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
