When Liverpool secured three points at Molineux on Monday night, it was arguably their biggest win of the season so far. Jürgen Klopp’s men went into their clash with Wolves looking to end an horrific run of form – six defeats in seven Premier League games – which has put paid to their title defence and seen them fall away from the top four. But their victory in the Black Country – a “dirty three points” in the words of Klopp – thanks to a goal from former Wolves striker Diogo Jota, has given the champions hope that a top four spot is not yet beyond them, and according to allvideoslots they are still in the mix.
It is fair to say that Liverpool’s title defence has been a bit of a disaster. After a fairly good start to the season which saw the Reds at the top of the table, they began to flounder over the Christmas period, and mid-January saw the beginning of dreadful run of home form which has seen them lose six consecutive games, their worst home run in almost a century. Though there have been mitigating circumstances – including injuries to key players leading to a defensive crisis – the fact is, Liverpool have not been good enough.
As a result of the champions’ loss of form, they have fallen away from the Champions League places. However, they’re not out of it completely, and this is why their dirty 1-0 win at Molineux is so important. As well as lifting them back up to 6th place and within striking distance of the top four, it also demonstrated that Liverpool can win ugly if they need to, and this could become a crucial factor in the coming weeks.
But their next three games may determine whether Liverpool end the season scrapping it out for a Champions League or a Europa League place.
Next up for Klopp’s men after a 2-week break is a trip to the Emirates to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who are on a good run of form themselves. Liverpool comfortably beat the Gunners earlier in the campaign, and so it is a game they will think they can win.
The next visitors to Anfield are Dean Smith’s Aston Villa who hammered Liverpool 7-2 in the corresponding fixture, a result that Klopp’s team will be keen to avenge.
And then Liverpool face a trip to Elland Road, a game in which anything could happen given the two clubs’ crazy results this season.
But the one fixture that is likely to determine Liverpool’s destiny is their trip to face old rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on 1st May. While the title is beyond United’s grasp, they’ll be looking to confirm their Champions League place, and if Liverpool are still in the hunt for a top four finish themselves, they’ll no doubt need a result of some sort.
And that’s why their win over Wolves is potentially so important: they may need more dirty points, and their victory at Molineux proves that they can get them.
