Like a pig returning to the muck after a wash, Liverpool returned back to the mire of mediocrity last night after a miserable display from the Reds finished in a disappointing goal less draw away to relegation threatened Wolves. To make things worse, Tottenham Hotspur comfortably eased to a 2-0 victory over Fulham at White Hart Lane to move 4 points clear of the Reds and Manchester City, who are in 5th and 6th position respectively.
The Reds started quickly, and battered the home side for the first couple of minutes but from then onwards Liverpool were poor and lacked creativity, even with Maxi starting for the first time and Steven Gerrard back after a hamstring injury had forced him to miss the games against Stoke and Spurs.
Liverpool could have taken the lead in the first minute as Riera flashed a header across the 6 yard box. After this Dirk Kuyt had a 20 yard effort blocked by Wolves defender Jody Craddock however, apart from these opportunites, there wasn't much goal mouth action at either end with both teams struggling to gain superiority in the middle third.
The home side's only opening in the first half came on 32 minutes when lone striker Kevin Doyle, who toiled tirelessly all night for Wolves, shot just wide after Matt Jarvis had done well to whip in a cross from the left wing following a surging forward run.
Liverpool were hoping for a better second half, and they started the second period in a similar fashion to the first, with Albert Riera going close to breaking the deadlock, however his hooked effort from the edge of the box was saved impressively by Hanneman in the Wolverhampton goal.
Wolves performed with a stubborn resistance throughout, dominating the second half of play. Liverpool were placed under pressure from the home team who were desperate for a memorable win in front of their own supporters.
Doyle gave the Reds defence a scare when he smashed a shot inches over the bar from 25 yards out. Also, Karl Henry saw his shot blocked as Wolves were in the ascendency. However, Liverpool hit back and worked endlessly in an attempt to score a vital winning goal but they just lacked the creativity needed to break down a resistant Wolves defensive wall. If Liverpool had had Torres up front instead of Kuyt they could have snatched a late winner, like the Spanish superstar did at a snowy Villa Park ealier this season, but it simply wasn't to be.
Liverpool must now look to take all three points from the game on the weekend against Owen Coyle's resurgent Bolton side. One thing is for sure, they must perform a hell of a lot better to grab 3 crucial points in the race for the 4th Champions League spot.
YNWA
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