Wolverhampton Wanderers – Liverpool

1. Hello all and welcome to a live commentary from Wolves against Liverpool. The Reds really need a win, but have a score to settle as Mick McCarthy's men won 1-0 here in the first game of the new year.

2. Some team news for you: Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Ward, Jarvis, Henry, Milijas, Hunt, Doyle, Fletcher. Subs: Hahnemann, Craddock, David Jones, Vokes, Hammill, Mouyokolo, Davis.

3. Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Kuyt, Lucas, Poulsen, Meireles, Maxi, Torres. Subs: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Cole, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Spearing, Shelvey.

4. Still no Steven Gerrard as he is suspended from his red card against Man Utd in the FA Cup.

5. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0118/kennydalglish20110116clarke_275x155.jpg"><br>A win would go a long way for Kenny's hopes for the season.

6. We'll be underway at 1245 GMT, but for now have a read of Mark Lomas' <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/293055?cc=5739" target="_blank">preview</a> for all the info on the game.

7. Wolves have been in decent form of late, beating Chelsea and Liverpool earlier this month and running Man City close 4-3.

8. We all know about Liverpool's recent woes, but they are <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/868971/blackpool-reject-liverpool%27s-L4m-charlie-adam-bid?cc=5739" target="_blank">after Blackpool's Charlie Adam</a> as their saviour.

9. Looks like Glen Johnson is still plying his trade at left-back, with Martin Kelly playing well at right-back.

10. A defensive looking midfield with Lucas, Poulsen and Meireles in the central areas. Kuyt and Maxi there up front, along with Torres.

11. Wolves are out to attack with a 4-4-2. They have Henry back in the middle, so that will add some steel to their midfield.

12. Liverpool have not won at Wolves since 1979... so something will have to change. Kenny Dalglish can't have an impact on the pitch this time.

13. The teams are heading out onto the pitch and we're almost ready for the off...

14. 1'

    <b>KICK-OFF.</b>

15. 1'

    Wolves causing Liverpool some aerial problems already and Johnson has to hack clear. Agger not convincing.

16. 2'

    A free-kick and the ball is launched into the area. Reina comes and claims with confidence.

17. 2'

    Doyle takes another high ball down well and runs past Skrtel, but the big defender gets back in time to push him wide.

18. 3'

    Maxi and Torres link up well down the left and Torres gets the cross in. First time the Reds have had a touch of the ball, on the floor at least.

19. 3'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Wolves clear the ball and Poulsen brings down Ward on the break. Early one for him.

20. 4'

    Berra leaving the field as blood is streaming down his face. Not sure why, but he'll need patching up.

21. 4'

    Hunt does very well down the left to get the better of Kelly. Wolves lose the ball though and Liverpool can break.

22. 5'

    Handball shout? Stearman seems to control the ball with his arm as the cross came in. Nothing given.

23. 6'

    Good stuff from Hunt again, who was tracking back to block the run of Kelly. A good midfielder is impressive at both ends and Hunt has been so far.

24. 7'

    Meireles doesn't look like much of a tackler. Milijas slides in and gets the better of him.

25. 8'

    Johnson slips the ball to Lucas, who walks into the box and crosses low. Poulsen hammers it, but Berra is there to block. Good chance.

26. 9'

    Probably the best move of the match so far and that was dangerous. Wolves need to switch on down the wings.

27. 10'

    Wolves pump the ball long again, it's obvious what their gameplan is today.

28. 10'

    Reina tries to find Kuyt, but slices his pass and it flies out. He's well known for his distribution, but that wasn't good.

29. 11'

    Skrtel struggles with the ball in the air and Fletcher is causing him problems. He looks edgy and now a miscontrol sees Milijas almost steal in on the edge of the box.

30. 12'

    Skrtel and Agger have both looked a little shaky so far. Wolves will continue to hammer aerial balls up to them.

31. 13'

    Oh dear. Reina again fails with the ball at his feet. The pitch is not a good one, but he really should do better.

32. 14'

    Xaxi gets a bang on the ankle and goes down. Play continues though and Wolves win a corner when Agger fails to take control of the situation.

33. 15'

    Doyle looks to swing in a cross, but the ball skids off his foot and looks to be lobbing Reina. The keeper takes a step back and catches with ease though.

34. 16'

    Kuyt slips Meireles in, but the ref blows the whistle. It came from a foul throw.

35. 17'

    Torres is bowled over and wins a free kick. Has a few words with the ref and generally looks very unhappy as he has done for a while now.

36. 17'

    Torres and Maxi look to combine again on the edge of the box but Zubar and Stearman show off their own double-act to block them.

37. 18'

    Henry tracks back and slides in to stop Meireles breaking. But again Wolves have switched off when the throw comes in and Stearman has to act quickly. The home side need to switch on!

38. 19'

    Hennessey punches clear to find Milijas, but a long ball finds no-one in the attacking half.

39. 20'

    Meireles slips and loses the ball to Jarvis who almost gets in from Doyle's pass.

40. 21'

    Meireles then finds Torres with a long ball. He takes it past the defender, has a chance on goal but Hennessey is there to palm away. Really should have scored.

41. 22'

    That was a very good chance. Torres does not look the most confident and now is having a go at Stearman.

42. 22'

    Stearman goes through the back of Torres, but the foul is given against the Spaniard. It all started as Stearman grabbed Torres from behind. Now they are both being lectured.

43. 24'

    Jarvis looking dangerous again for Wolves and Agger is now penalised for holding on Doyle just outside the box. Decent chance for a free-kick delivery.

44. 24'

    Milijas stands over it. But curls it round the wall and well over the bar.

45. 25'

    Hunt has it on the left and gets a cross in, did it hit Kelly on the hand? No, well blocked. That's quite a tussle down the flank.

46. 26'

    Torres finds himself well out on the wing and tries to find Lucas, but it skids too far on. Meireles has gone down in the middle of the pitch, a small brush with Henry has left him prone. But he'll be ok.

47. 27'

    He gets to his feet now and will carry on without trouble.

48. 28'

    Berra hammers into Meireles and the tension is beginning to be felt. The game is boiling over in certain areas.

49. 29'

    Some good committed challenges flying in. I sense a yellow card is coming soon.

50. 30'

    Lucas bundles into Henry and screams at the ref. It's all very scrappy.

51. 31'

    A long ball flies in and Fletcher leaps with Agger. Both manage to miss it though and it's Liverpool's to clear.

52. 31'

    Zubar with a flying challenge to stop the through ball to Torres.

53. 31'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0122/fernandotorresvwolves_275x155.jpg"> <br>Liverpool's Fernando Torres looks to break through the Wolves defence.

54. 32'

    Oh good chance. The ball drops to Meireles on the edge of the box afer a Torres backheel. He hits it well, but it flies wide of the post.

55. 33'

    Wolves looking to take control and try to build some possession. They will be happy with a clean sheet thus far.

56. 33'

    Meireles gets the ball and tries to slot Kelly in behind, but Hunt tracks the run again and negates the danger.

57. 34'

    Shot on goal, as Torres finds Maxi in the box with a good low ball and he turns but finds Hennessey in the way. Decent low save, but it wasn't a well hit shot.

58. 35'

    Wolves struggle in the final third again. They really haven't shown very much to worry Reina.

59. 36'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Torres slots home as Meireles breaks the offside trap.

60. 36'

    Zubar was playing far too far behind and Meireles charged through. He slipped the ball square past Hennessey to the waiting Torres. Empty net and 1-0.

61. 37'

    It has been coming. That was very poor from Zubar, but another good run from the Portuguese midfielder.

62. 37'

    He now has another go from far out, but it flies wide.

63. 38'

    Good work on the edge of the box and Doyle holds it up, lays it off to Fletcher who hits it low. Reina dives to his right and catches the ball. Good effort.

64. 38'

    Torres warned now as his battle with Stearman continues.

65. 39'

    Meireles to Torres again down the left, he slips it to Maxi and the ball is returned to him. Hennessey makes the save, but Maxi was flagged offside.

66. 40'

    Liverpool will certainly be happy to take this lead into half-time.

67. 41'

    Maxi eyes up a shot as the clearance drops, but his shot flies so wide it nearly hits the lineswoman.

68. 42'

    Johnson forced to concede a throw to Jarvis down the Liverpool left. Jarvis, for me, has not impressed. He needs to get into the game more and drive some crosses into the box.

69. 43'

    Zubar, too, has had a poor game for Wolves. If they could get their right side going, Liverpool would have more to worry about.

70. 44'

    Fletcher dithers on the ball, and there has been far too much of that for the home side.

71. 44'

    Hunt and Skrtel now going head to head. Or head to armpit...

72. 45'

    Great chance for Wolves as the ball flies to the back post from a free-kick. Milijas is completely free, but takes too long and Reina rushes out to block.

73. 45'

    Liverpool break and Torres is free down the right. He cuts it inside, but Meireles overruns it and Wolves can clear.

74. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Torres was warned. He trips Ward and goes in the book.

75. 45'

    Good stuff from Wolves to get the ball in, but Jarvis' shot is blocked and that's the half.

76. 45'

    <b>HALF-TIME</b>. Liverpool have been the better side, they have had more chances and Wolves have offered little up the attacking end of the pitch.

77. Don't forget we'll have another live commentary as Darren Bent makes his debut for Aston Villa <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/293000?cc=5739" target="_blank">in their game with Man City</a>. It's also live on ESPN UK.

78. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0122/fernandotorrescelebvwolves_275x155.jpg"> <br>Liverpool's Fernando Torres celebrates his goal

79. It's not long before the rest of the games kick off and we'll have goal updates and chat from all the Premier League action. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/869032/matchday-live---january-22?cc=5739" target="_blank">Join us</a>

80. 45'

    <b>KICK-OFF.</b> Lucas is apparently struggling with an injury, but he looks ok.

81. 46'

    No changes for either side and Wolves will need more attacking ambition. They are showing it already as Jarvis gets free down the left, gets his cross in and Reina is there to catch.

82. 47'

    At the other end, the ball rebounds off Stearman and nearly foxes Hennessey. But he saves.

83. 47'

    Jarvis and Ward combine very well and Jarvis has tons of space to cross. He chips it into the hands and Reina and hangs his head; as well he might.

84. 48'

    Hunt and Doyle have switched wings and are looking dangerous. Hunt has been excellent all game.

85. 48'

    Kuyt is through. A chipped ball over the top made the space and Hennessey is out well, he blocks and Kuyt hangs his head now.

86. 49'

    That was a great chance. Hennessey did really well to block him right on the edge of the box.

87. 49'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Meireles what a stunner!

88. 49'

    The ball drops down off Berra's head and he unleashes a stunning volley past the keeper to make it 2-0!

89. 50'

    Well, that wasn't half bad. What great technique. Maxi tried it earlier, but the Portuguese midfielder really showed him how it is done!

90. 51'

    Skrtel flattens Jarvis and he has no chance of winning that ball. Wolves have a decent chance to get the ball in.

91. 52'

    Jarvis slices the ball in though. He has looked very poor since coming out from half-time.

92. 52'

    Liverpool are now at ease. They are passing the ball about with too much pace and skill for Wolves and have runners all over the place.

93. 53'

    But here's a chance. Kelly clearance fails to go very far and Lucas now gives away a free-kick just outside the box.

94. 54'

    Milijas is there. Along with Fletcher and Hunt.

95. 54'

    It's Hunt, but he hammers it off the wall and Zubar smashes his shot from the rebound well over.

96. 55'

    Wolves pushing forward and Hunt causes Johnson problems. However, he's not got enough support.

97. 55'

    Meireles looks to find Torres with a long angled ball, but Zubar tracks the run and Hennessey comes out to clear the danger.

98. 56'

    Jarvis does very well to get down the left. His cross cuts back to the edge of the box, but Maxi is there to defend by hammering it over his own bar.

99. 57'

    Doyle running at the heart of the Liverpool defence, but it halted in full flight. Wolves are on top at the moment and looking dangerous.

100. 58'

     Doyle again gets it in the box. There are a lot of Reds defenders in there to marshall him out of danger, but he wins a corner.

101. 59'

     Zubar steers the ball back, but it's on its way towards Meireles who is through on goal. Stearman just gets his foot in at the last minute to avoid another shocker from his team-mate.

102. 60'

     Jarvis is the dangerman for Wolves again, but this time Kelly gets the better of him. The ball rebounds off him and it's a goal kick.

103. 62'

     Liverpool seem to have weathered the storm for the time being. McCarthy is throwing a tantrum on the sidelines, but he needs to change something.

104. 63'

     Milijas bends a free-kick in, but it finds Reina who plucks it off the head of Berra.

105. 64'

     Johnson hammers a left-footed cross down in low. It's Stearman who comes across and knocks it behind.

106. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0122/fernandotorresscoresvwolves_275x155.jpg"> <br>Liverpool's Fernando Torres scores the opening goal

107. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0122/raulmeirelesstrike20110122_275x155.jpg"><br>Meireles hammers home the second.

108. 65'

     Good play from Fletcher as Skrtel miscontrols. The striker hammers a shot in and Reina spills. However, he gathers at the second chance.

109. 66'

     Hunt backheels for Henry to run into the box and Lucas does very well to get back and slide in to stop him.

110. 67'

     Agger struggles to clear and Zubar goes down. Not sure what he was after there, as it certainly wasn't a spot kick.

111. 69'

     Long ball from Liverpool this time and it finds Maxi running through down the left. He outpaces Zubar with far too much ease and hits his shot into Hennessey's hands.

112. 70'

     Liverpool stringing some passes together and Torres finds himself some space. It looks like he might be about to bear down on goal, but Berra comes across.

113. 71'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> New signing Adam Hammill on, Hunt comes off.

114. 71'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Jonjo Shelvey comes on for Poulsen.

115. 72'

     Great cross in, but Kelly clears for Liverpool. That was an excellent defensive header.

116. 73'

     Wolves are caught on the break. Torres turns, releases Meireles and he then squares for Shelvey who is through on goal. He slices wide.

117. 74'

     Two impact subs. Hammill's excellent cross and Shelvey nearly scores.

118. 74'

     Another good cross comes in and Agger and Skrtel combine to get the ball over the bar somehow.

119. 75'

     Hammill has a great chance as Jarvis gets the ball across. The ball is stuck under his foot and he just fails to get the touch needed to tap home.

120. 76'

     Nervousness comes in for Liverpool. Zubar arrives with a towering header, but it flies wide.

121. 78'

     Wolves still pressing forward, Hammill making a real impact as his cross comes in. Doyle can't get on the end of it, but he was close.

122. 79'

     Jarvis and Hammill are being given too much space to fire the ball across. Liverpool are under an aerial bombardment.

123. 80'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aurelio comes on and Maxi is being brought off.

124. 81'

     Liverpool just piling men behind the ball and hacking it clear whenever they can.

125. 81'

     Ward pushes it across, but Reina can't get there. Liverpool combine at the back to get it away.

126. 83'

     Milijas wastes a good chance to get the ball across. Hammill sent it back to him and he failed to beat the defenders.

127. 83'

     Liverpool constantly threatening on the counter. Torres now into the game as he hits an arm perhaps? Tough one to give...

128. 84'

     Zubar gets his foot back in as Aurelio was threatening. Jarvis at the other end again provides the cross, but there it just evades the head of Doyle.

129. 85'

     Stearman does well to steer the ball back to his keeper after Kuyt's angled ball.

130. 85'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Meireles now goes into the book for a clumsy tackle on the halfway line.

131. 86'

     Kelly gives the ball away and Wolves can attack again. Fletcher takes a shot on early and it flies high and wide over the bar.

132. 87'

     YNWA can be heard now. The Liverpool fans are certainly happy to get what must now be their first win under Dalglish.

133. 88'

     Ward gets the ball across, but it evades everyone again. They have just lacked a cutting edge from their final delivery.

134. 89'

     Liverpool trying their best to keep the ball. Meireles playing a key role now as he keeps the ball moving and he's been the Man of the Match.

135. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Berra plays Kuyt onside, who loses the ball, but it rolls to Torres who smashes it into the roof of the net.

136. 90'

     That was a little lucky as Stearman tackled Kuyt, but the ball popped to the Spaniard with no-one to stop him scoring.

137. 91'

     Wolves look done now. They needed to get an early goal this half and have constantly missed out when it mattered.

138. 92'

     Ward hits it high and Reina claims with ease. That says it all really.

139. 93'

     <b>FULL-TIME.</b> Liverpool have been impressive and hand Wolves their worst home defeat of the season. Torres and Meireles have lifted Kenny's men and they get their first win under their new boss.

140. So Liverpool were in dominant form, but <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/869032/matchday-live---january-22?cc=5739" target="_blank">how will everyone else do?</a> Another six games to follow now, plus Villa against City later on ESPN UK.

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