Liverpool condemn Wolves to record for longest winless Premier League start

LIVERPOOL, Dec 27 : Liverpool beat ‌Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Saturday to climb into the top four in the table and condemn Wolves to an unwanted record for the longest winless start in Premier League history with 18 games.

Ruthless strikes from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz a minute apart in the first half secured victory for the holders to leave them on 32 points after 18 matches, 10 behind leaders Arsenal. 

Wolves' nightmare season continued with just two points gained, a staggering 16 points from safety.

Wolves did well to frustrate Anfield fans before Gravenberch finally struck in the 41st minute. Jeremie Frimpong worked his way around two Wolves defenders before cutting it back to the ‌Dutch midfielder who fired into the bottom corner.

Reds fans were still celebrating when Wirtz scored his first ‌goal in Liverpool colours a minute later, latching onto Hugo Ekitike's through ball before poking past goalkeeper Jose Sa.

"I was confident that I would score one day," said the Germany midfielder, who was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in June. "I just know that it will come and I try to keep going like that.

"We played a brilliant first half," he added. "We want to be there and be on top of the table. It's not been an easy start for us but we're doing better and getting the points."

Wolves pulled one back in the 51st when Tolu Arokodare's header was saved ‍by Alisson Becker, but Santiago Bueno was there to finish the rebound.

Liverpool seemed rattled after the visitors' goal, but Wolves could not find an equaliser in a loss that saw them break Sheffield United's record of longest winless Premier League start set in 2020-21.

The all-time English record for a top-flight winless start is held by Bolton, who failed to win any