{"id":1364762,"date":"2024-09-28T19:58:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-28T18:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1364762"},"modified":"2024-09-28T19:58:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-28T18:58:40","slug":"wolves-passing-game-liverpool-ryan-gravenberch","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/wolves-passing-game-liverpool-ryan-gravenberch\/","title":{"rendered":"All Pep Guardiola’s fault? Liverpool go top of the Premier League with narrow Wolves win: “It’s got to stop”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wolves fans were frustrated as they watched their team lose 2-1 to Liverpool in the Premier League<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gary O’Neil’s side wouldn’t have gone into their game against Liverpool expecting to win. They’re yet to win in the league this season and have lost more Premier League games against Liverpool than they have vs any other opponent.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Liverpool had kept a clean sheet in 65% of their Premier League games against Wolves. Only Chelsea against Middlesbrough (67%) have a better rate of any side to have faced another at least 20 times in Premier League history.<\/p>\n

But the manner of the defeat was scathing. Or at least Wolves’ performance when 2-1 down. <\/p>\n

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With the game in the dying stages, Wolves had a lot of possession as Liverpool were happy to soak up the pressure and look for the counter attack. But, there were moments when Wolves were just passing it among themselves around the back. You could have been forgiven for thinking they were the team trying to hold onto the lead.<\/p>\n

“We always blame it on Pep [Guardiola] but Pep’s teams can do it,” said Gary Neville on commentary. “But we’re now watching teams at the bottom end of the table playing six passes between the centre-back and goalkeeper while needing a goal and I can’t accept that.<\/p>\n

“And it’s not just a criticism of Wolves. There’s plenty of teams doing it. It’s got to stop.”<\/p>\n

Overall, Wolves attempted 418 passes with their 44.4% possession against Liverpool, completing 351. One of the sustained periods of possession came in the 85th and 86th minute when Wolves should have been going gung ho. <\/p>\n

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During those two minutes, Wolves completed 20 passes but only one went into the opposition half. To make it even worse, just nine went forwards. Remember, this is a team trailing 2-1. <\/p>\n

Compiling the misery, O’Neil tried to shake things up by bringing Hwang Hee-chan on in the 68th minute. But during his time on the pitch, the South Korean had just four touches. That’s a touch every five-and-a-half minutes. For a striker. When his team needed a goal. <\/p>\n

This subject was in the news earlier this week when former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard accused Pep Guardiola of “ruining football” through his influential brand of passing football.<\/p>\n

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Liverpool are the first side to win five games in the Premier League this season and are one of just two teams alongside Chelsea to win their opening three away PL games in 2024\/25. <\/p>\n

Arne Slot's Reds are top of the league. ? pic.twitter.com\/mvd9QksDoL<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n