Steven Gerrard refused to blame Premier League referees for Wolves’ opening goal against Liverpool and shifted the blame to two defenders who needed to be better in the duel that led to the goal
Steven Gerrard blamed Liverpool’s defenders for their 2-1 loss against Wolves(Image: TNT Sports)
Not every Premier League goal will be a FIFA Puskas Award contender; some are accidental, scored by defenders, and others are controversial enough to spark pundit debates.
While some Liverpool supporters debated online whether the referees missed a foul call during the physical duel in the air, Steven Gerrard blamed the two defenders involved in the first goal, which led to Wolves‘ 2-1 victory over the Reds on Tuesday.
Gerrard believed the real issue behind Wolves’ opener was not officiating but Liverpool’s defending from usually two of the most reliable defenders on the pitch, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The Liverpool legend gave Arne Slot starting-11 advice before the match, which wasn’t considered before kickoff.
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The moment came late in a match that had been slow and predictable by Van Dijk’s standards. With the score still level and Liverpool pressing forward, possession was lost just outside the 18-yard box.
Wolves instantly turned defense into attack as full-back Jackson Tchatchoua launched a long ball forward from deep inside his own half. That pass found substitute striker Tolu Arokodare, who fought through a duo of Red shirts to come down with the ball.
The forward outjumped Van Dijk and Konate to win the ball, then passed to Rodrigo Gomes. Gomes sprinted, beat Konate, and lobbed Alisson Becker to give Wolves a 78th-minute lead.
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Some Liverpool supporters claimed Van Dijk was fouled in the aerial challenge that began the move, but Gerrard rejected that theory during a TNT Sports interview. “I personally don’t think it’s a foul. I think he’s got to be a lot stronger in that situation,” he said. “I also think that Konate could have bailed him out of trouble.”
Gerrard analyzed the defensive sequence thoroughly and said that Liverpool’s center-backs’ positioning and technique could have completely prevented the opportunity.
He called out Konate for attempting to tackle Gomes with his wrong leg, and that wrapping his right foot and leg around the ball would have easily put Gomes out of position to score.
Both Wolves’ Andre and teammate Rodrigo
Gomes scored goals in the win against Liverpool at Molineux
The former Liverpool captain added that asking the referee for a foul would be “clutching at straws,” given that they already knew Wolves would be physical in the moment. “You’ve got to be ready for that,” he said.
Liverpool equalized in the 83rd minute when Mohamed Salah scored a top-corner shot, leveling the match. Wolves struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time after Alisson’s distribution from goal eventually fell to Andre.
The Brazilian midfielder’s long-range deflected shot in the 94th minute secured victory, but Wolves remained at the bottom of the Premier League’s table, fighting relegation.