Mo Salah spares Liverpool's blushes to send Reds top with Wolves win - 5 talking points

Liverpool leapt into top spot in the Premier League with a win over rock-bottom Wolves but had to rely on Mohamed Salah to escape from a frustrating day.

The Reds have enjoyed an excellent start to life under new boss Arne Slot, with a shock defeat at home to Nottingham Forest the only blemish on his record. Slot's side were frustrated for much of the first half, but finally got a deserved opener when Ibrahima Konate rose highest to head Diogo Jota's cross into the net, though Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone really should have kept it out.

Liverpool remained on top in the second period, but Wolves fought back to surprisingly equalise just before the hour mark. It all came from Konate's error, as he dallied on the ball to allow himself to be dispossessed before Rayan Aït-Nouri fired in.

But five minutes later they were back in front when Salah converted a penalty after Jota had been hauled down in the box. This time they held on to their lead and here Mirror Football looks at the biggest talking points from the game.

Slot supplants Guardiola

Arne Slot has enjoyed a brilliant start to life at Liverpool, with his side's fine form continuing at Molineux. The first-half was a frustrating one for the visitors as they struggled to break down a stubborn Wolves side.

It was not quite plain sailing for the Reds, despite Ibrahima Konate finally breaking Wolves' resistance at the end of the first-half. The win means Liverpool have lept up into top spot having started the game in fourth following the lunchtime and 3pm kick-offs.

Few people were expecting a title challenge in Slot's first season as Liverpool boss. But other than the defeat to Nottingham Forest two weeks ago, the Reds have won every game, which certainly bodes well.

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Konate's game of two halves






Ibrahima Konate opened the scoring for Liverpool
(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images))

It was truly a game of two halves for Ibrahima Konate at the heart of Liverpool's defence. The defender put in an excellent first-half performance, winning three of his four defensive duels and making two interceptions.

And with the Reds' attackers struggling to break down their opponents, the centre-back also proved key at the other end of the pitch. He rose highest to power in a header right at the end of the first-half to hand Liverpool the lead.

But the second-half proved to be a difficult time for the Frenchman. It was Konate's mix-up with Alisson which allowed Strand Larsen to dispossess him, with Rayan Aït-Nouri firing in an equaliser. Konate was then booked for a late tackle on Matheus Cunha, but did recover to make an excellent goal-saving tackle later on.

Wolves cut adrift






Saturday's defeat leaves Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table
(Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Though there were some bright moments, Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and are winless in their first six games. The problems are mounting for boss Gary O'Neil, with his side having now gone 18 games without a clean sheet.

Their issues stretch back into last season, with the last time they won in the top-flight being on 27 April when they beat Luton Town. The hosts were fragile at the back against Liverpool, with the Reds able to open them up time and time again.

O'Neil's men also struggled going forward and had to rely on Konate's error to get their goal. Besides that, Reds keeper Alisson was able to enjoy a quiet afternoon. O'Neil faces an uphill task if his side are to escape the relegation battle.

Alexander-Arnold makes Arsenal mistake






Trent Alexander-Arnold was booked for kicking the ball away, despite Arsenal running into problems for similar actions
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold clearly hasn't been paying attention to Arsenal's matches this season. The Gunners have seen two players - Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard - sent off for kicking the ball away this season, ultimately earning yellow cards.

And Liverpool's defender was punished for a similar incident after just seven minutes. Wolves prepared to take a free-kick and Alexander-Arnold needlessly kicked the ball away. Not the wisest of decisions, given he had to play the remaining 83 minutes on a yellow card.

Slot will want his players to avoid silly decisions like that, as on another day, it could cost them. If Liverpool want to win silverware this season, they need their best players available.

Salah spares Reds' blushes

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Moments after Wolves drew level in shocking fashion, Mohamed Salah stepped up to put Liverpool back in front.

The Reds won a penalty when Diogo Jota was hauled to the ground as he looked to poke a cross into the net. Salah stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and he duly buried it past Sam Johnstone.

That made up for a glaring miss early into the second-half, when the Egyptian somehow put wide having been presented with an open goal. His winner on Saturday was further evidence that the attacker deserves to be handed a new contract.

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