Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction as Salah penalty gives unconvincing Reds win

Cole Palmer has become the first Premier League player to score four times before half-time as he powered Chelsea FC into the lead in an entertaining clash with Brighton.

The visitors had gone in front at Stamford Bridge before Palmer struck for a first time, equalising 15 minutes after Georginio Rutter’s opener.

A second from the penalty spot soon followed from the England international, before he completed his hat-trick in just nine minutes and 48 seconds of match time with a sublime free kick.

If this title race is to be “a war”, as Gabriel put it, Arsenal have claimed victory in a battle that may end up much more decisive than anyone expected. What should have been a comfortable 3pm home win against a relegation-threatened Leicester City was transformed into a game that tested the club’s nerves but will have reaffirmed the spirit, through a late 4-2 win.

The very fact it went to that from 2-2 in the 95th minute only tells part of what this game was, especially given it had been 2-0 at half-time. It might also tell us a bit more about what Arsenal will be by the end of the season, mere challengers again or actual champions?

Just hours after Manchester City had dropped two points against Newcastle United, Arsenal looked set to unexpectedly do the same against Leicester. Except, it would have been even worse than squandering the chance to go level with the champions.

Rodri has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City confirmed the Spanish midfielder has successfully undergone surgery.

Rodri suffered ACL and meniscus damage to his knee in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

“He had surgery this morning,” Guardiola said. “ACL and some meniscus. So, next season he will be here. This season is over [for him].”

There are different ways of deducting points from Manchester City. Since Rodri limped off against Arsenal, with a season-ending cruciate ligament injury, they have dropped four. A 100 per cent start to the defence of their title has given way to back-to-back draws. Rodri famously never loses but the most pertinent part of his record may be how often he wins.

And City normally beat Newcastle United, just as Pep Guardiolainvariably triumphs against Eddie Howe. Not this time. Just Howe’s second point against his City counterpart was secured by Anthony Gordon’s penalty.

It is impossible to prove that the Spaniard would have stopped Bruno Guimaraes from supplying the defence-splitting pass that led to it, but tempting to wonder anyway. Rodri can appear omnipotent when present; the loss of the man Guardiola deems the world’s best in his position means many a shortcoming could be attributed to his absence.

Tomorrow begins with Ipswich vs Aston Villa in the 2pm kick-off, before the weekend finishes with Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford at 4.30pm.

There’s Monday night football too, with Bournemouth hosting Southampton at 8pm.

Gary O’Neil is last to speak to Sky. He says that his team “gave everything”, but they “lost control and went off the game-plan when we scored”.

“It’s another game against tough opposition where we were us - we gave the best version of ourselves.

“Gutted for the lads as they deserved something over the last few weeks against tough opposition, but there’s loads of stuff I love.

“You don’t want to keep it frantic and open against Liverpool.

“We got carried away and opened the game up too much, but apart from that there were loads of good bits.

“We could have been more intelligent with the ball, we made some mad decision when we were chasing the game.

“If we keep pushing and scrapping and giving everything like we are we are going to cause some teams problems this year.

“Everyone inside the changing room is giving everything and doing the best they can. That will always be the case.”

Arne Slot also spoke to Sky Sports, and he says that in the short term, the results are more important than the performance.

“For the long term you have to look at the performance. I don’t think we started well but you have to give credit to Wolves.

“They overloaded our right side a lot with many players. That’s why it was difficult at the start but second half we came out much better.

“The energy and intensity was much higher than the first 15 minutes.

“I saw the first goal and what stands out is the patience we have. In general we were much more patient.

The Dutchman goes on to praise Gravnberch and Mac Allister, before addressing Liverpool’s status as potential title contenders.

“We have a lot to prove when we come across the top sides. It’s good that we are where we are at the moment.

“I always try to be realistic, Jurgen’s work has been fantastic. We have to prove we can do it in the Champions League and Premier League.”

Toti Gomes is the Wolves player speaking to Sky, and he calls it “a tough defeat”.

“We started well and we were a bit unlucky suffering the first goal, but we responded immediately in the first half.

“We were not paying attention to some details. We deserved something from this game - at least a point.

“All the details count especially against the big teams. If you do little mistakes they will make a goal and we will suffer.

“It is not easy, but it is a matter of time [until results improve].

“We are not in a good phase, but we have to stick together. We have had tough defeats against big teams but we are going to keep fighting and we have a lot to prove.

“I ask the fans to stick with us, as we are going to keep improving.”

Konate and Gravenberch have been speaking to Sky Sports, and the former says that the team are “really happy”.

“Wolves were very good today and it was tough for us. We did really well”

Gravenberch says a team like Liverpool “has to be in the top four for sure, but we keep pushing”.

Konate adds that “every game is very hard” in the Premier League.

“But the fans expect three points, and we did it. We have an important game on Wednesday and we have to start the recovery now.

““We missed concentration and we have to work on it. Everything cannot be perfect every time. We need more focus during the game.”

Wolves’ next match sees them travel to Brentford on Saturday, for a 3pm kick-off.

Liverpool host Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday, before they too travel to south London – they face Crystal Palace in the early kick-off on Saturday.