Wolverhampton Wanderers failed to pull off a magnificent comeback at Anfield, losing 2-1 after going 2-0 down in the first half, but showing fight in the second half, grabbing one back through Matheus Cunha in the 67th minute, and fighting until the very end for that elusive equaliser.
Vitor Pereira’s side held their own against Arne Slot’s league leaders, holding 50% possession, taking 16 shots in the game, creating one “big chance” and generating 1.33 xG.
Sadly, the quality of Liverpool just squeezed by, taking fewer shots, but scoring two goals, with the prolific finishing of Mohamed Salah proving to be the decider once more.
Despite failing to complete the comeback, the performance of Cunha was absolutely excellent, not only scoring a brilliant goal, but contributing to all phases of play, and really being the driving force of Wolves from back to front.
Matheus Cunha's performance vs Liverpool
The 25-year-old has made 26 appearances for Wolves so far this season, scoring 13 goals, providing four assists and totalling 2,077 minutes played.
The Brazilian has played all over the place for his side, playing left-wing, right-wing, as an attacking midfielder and even through the middle as a centre-forward.
Cunha, as well as scoring the goal, took six shots in the game, attempted seven dribble attempts, completed three of them, took 84 touches, made one key pass, completed five of his eight long balls and won eight out of 12 ground duels.
Cunha was the heartbeat of everything Wolves did, dropping deep to link play and getting stuck in off the ball with his duels.
Whilst Cunha put in a brilliant display, one man in particular for Wolves did not, putting in a 5/10 display according to Birmingham’s World’s Charlie Haffenden.
Goncalo Guedes's performance in numbers
Goncalo Guedes was substituted at half-time against Liverpool, having struggled to make his mark in the game up against Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the first half.
The 28-year-old has struggled for form, especially in recent weeks, now going eight Premier League games without a goal contribution.
Stat
Guedes
Minutes
45
Touches
10
Shots
0
Accurate Passes
7/7
Key Passes
1
Aerial Duels Won
0/1
Offsides
1
In the first half, Guedes failed to impact the game, managing fewer touches than Jose Sa – who finished on 33 – not taking a single shot and losing his only duel in the game. Of course, up against Van Dijk and Konate, it’s not going to be easy, but Wolves needed someone to make things stick and give them a chance on the break.
The man who came on in Guedes’s place, new signing Marshall Munetsi, generated 0.54 xG for himself with just 11 touches, managed two shots (one of which was a “big chance”) and won three out of four ground duels and one of his two aerial duels.
Munetsi could be the answer for Wolves going forward, offering more of a focal point through the middle, winning duels and allowing others such as Cunha to play off of him, perhaps even meaning Guedes can play in a more familiar wide position from the bench.
Whatever the case, the former Valencia man should find himself out of the starting lineup next time around.
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