Match Summary
Liverpool ended 2010 in more misery as they went down to Wolves 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a second half strike from Stephen Ward.
Going into the game, Wolves were bottom of the Premier League and hold the worst away record in English football this season.
The Reds welcomed back Steven Gerrard from injury, but the skipper seemed to have little hunger or desire for victor. There was little inspiration from anyone all over the park.
Liverpool could have felt aggrieved in the first half for not being awarded a penalty when Kyrgiakos had his shirt pulled, but a 1-0 defeat is nothing more than the hosts deserve.
The second half brought out a controversial substitution, with Roy Hodgson opting to bring on Ryan Babel in place of David N’gog, who had been looking like one of the side’s more active in front of goal.
The decision brought about a chorus of “Hodgson for England” followed by demands for Kenny Dalglish to take over Hodgson’s job from the Kop.
The late substitution of Joe Cole provided some brief glimpses of progressive play, but even as the clock wound down Wolves were comfortably in control.
Martin Skrtel got the ball in the net late on, heading in a Gerrard free-kick, but the defender was far offside.
The final whistle was met by an echo of boos around Anfield as the pressure on Hodgson mounts even further.
The result means Liverpool finish the year just three points outside the relegation zone, with just six wins from their opening 18 Premier League games and a busy fixture schedule in January – a potential of 7 games in the next month.
Aftermath with the fans: Post match thread: Liverpool 0-1 Wolves
Media Reports
The Independent
The Guardian
BBC Sport
Team Line-ups & Substitutions
Liverpool: Reina, G Johnson, Konchesky (Aurelio 73), Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Raul Meireles (Cole 73), Gerrard, Lucas, Torres, Kuyt, Ngog (Babel 62).
Subs not used: Jones, Agger, Maxi, Poulsen.
Wolves: Hennessey, Elokobi, Stearman, Ward (Fletcher 78), Berra, Zubar, Foley, Hunt, Jarvis (Edwards 89), Milijas, Ebanks-Blake.
Subs: Hahnemann, Batth, Jones, Mujangi Bia, Bent.
Other Results
Premier League
Chelsea 1-0 Bolton
Wigan 2-2 Arsenal
