Liverpool’s distaste for lunchtimes has been legendary in recent times under Jürgen Klopp, so at Molineux they turned up at 1.30pm.
Last season Klopp failed to win any of his matches that kicked off at this time, but here was a victory which extended their unbeaten run to 16 Premier League matches.
It was a turnaround win which will save Klopp from any uncomfortable questions over his team selection, with a late goal from Andrew Robertson – on his 200th league appearance for the club – and and own goal after a snap shot from Harvey Elliot.
Darwin Nunez was introduced for the second half and instantly injected some urgency into his team, despite only returning late from international duty on Friday.
In the first half Liverpool were abject, with the absence of the suspended Virgil Van Dijk and injured Trent Alexander-Arnold only increasing fears that a lack of defensive depth could be a major concern after the summer rebuild.
Wolves were outstanding in the opening 45 minutes, taking a seventh-minute lead through Hee Chan-Hwang.
This is a team, remember, who Julen Lopetegui feared were not good enough for the Premier League.
Lopetegui walked out before the start of the season amid concerns that the squad was heading for another relegation battle following over £140 million of player sales.
Wolves swarmed all over Liverpool, pressing them into mistakes and hustling them out of possession. The Liverpool defence endured a chastening afternoon, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip vulnerable in a back-four which included 20 year old Jarell Quansah making his full debut.
Pedro Neto was a constant threat while midfielders Mario Lemina, Joao Gomes and new signing Jean-Ricner Bellegarde were relentless in their missions to disrupt and unsettle.
Yet the failure to add a second goal always left Wolves in danger, and the introduction of Luis Diaz for Alexis Mac Allister made an instant difference.
Suddenly, Liverpool appeared more dangerous and they were level 11 minutes into the second half when Cody Gakpo converted at the far post.
Wolves had lost their fluency and Liverpool’s second goal came four minutes from time when Robertson picked up Salah’s pass and squeezed the ball past Sa.
Elliott lifted Liverpool to the top of the table with a goal in injury time, and Wolves will wonder how this all unfolded.
