Premier League champions Liverpool welcomed the return of fans to Anfield for the first time since March with an emphatic victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the first half after Wolves defender Conor Coady misjudged a long ball from Jordan Henderson.

Georginio Wijnaldum added a second after the break when he curled a precise shot into the top-right corner from long range before Joel Matip's thumping header and Nelson Semedo's scrambled own goal completed the scoring.

Wolves were largely contained by the home side but had a glimpse of hope when referee Craig Pawson awarded them a penalty in the first half when he adjudged Sadio Mane to have fouled former Liverpool player Coady.

However he overturned his decision after reviewing the incident on the video assistant referee monitor, where it was clear there had been no contact.

The win keeps Liverpool level on points with league leaders Tottenham, who beat Arsenal 2-0 in the north London derby earlier on Sunday.

Wolves are in 10th although only two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

Liverpool fans returned to Anfield for the first time in nine months and - albeit only 2,000 of them - were able to show their appreciation for a team that had been crowned Premier League champions during that period.

They chanted "bring on the champions" minutes before kick-off and raised their scarves for a quieter-than-usual chorus of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

The beaming smile on Jurgen Klopp's face as he watched supporters take their seats during the warm-up was still in place hours later after his side produced an authoritative performance that kept them in touch with Jose Mourinho's side.

Left-back Andy Robertson was a menace throughout for Wolves defender Semedo and he looked the most likely to engineer an opening in the first 20 minutes.

Sure enough, it was his fizzed cross that Mane headed just over as the dominant home side pressed for a breakthrough.

However it was skipper Henderson's searching ball that Coady chested into the path of Salah and allowed the Egypt forward to take one touch before firing past visiting keeper Rui Patricio.

The goal was celebrated with predictable elation by those able to snare a ticket for the Kop and they were entertained regularly during the first half, with Roberto Firmino's nutmeg and Mane's 'Cruyff turn' two of the highlights.

Liverpool were even more dominant after the break and secured victory when Wijnaldum's wonderful strike provided a two-goal cushion but the biggest roar came when centre-back Matip's header rippled the net in front of the fans.

Trent Alexander-Arnold returned from injury as a substitute to set up the fourth, Wolves defender Semedo bundling the ball into his own net with Mane poised to score.

Those supporters who were denied a victory parade when Liverpool lifted the long-awaited Premier League trophy in July were treated to a performance worthy of champions against a Wolves side who have proved an awkward opponent in recent encounters.

They thanked Klopp's men for a fine performance with another rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in the final seconds of stoppage time before cheering the manager's familiar fist pumps at full time.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1208 HRS, DEC 07, 2020
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