Goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun were enough for Liverpool to overcome Wolves on Boxing Day.
Ward sending off paves way for Liverpool win
Goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun were enough for Liverpool to overcome Wolves to clinch a much-needed win on Boxing Day.
But the Anfield affair only swung in the hosts' favour when Stephen Ward was given his marching orders in the second half for a second bookable offence, although the decision was surrounded in controversy.
At first referee Andre Marriner booked Christoph Berra for Ward's foul on Lucas Leiva but after several protests from the Reds players, the West Midlands official consulted his linesman for the second time and eventually sent the left-back off.
The decision allowed Liverpool time and space and they took full advantage of it when first Gerrard powered his side ahead with a bullet header before a deflected Benayoun effort wrapped up maximum points for the Merseysiders.
The UEFA Champions League hopefuls rise to seventh, five points off Aston Villa in fourth while Wolves drop to 15th.
The Kop faithful were at last treated to their marquee signing when Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani was finally included in a Liverpool league starting line-up, his previous appearances having been from the bench.
The £20m international had recovered from a calf injury, with Liverpool also recalling Fabio Aurelio and Benayoun for Dirk Kuyt and Andrea Dossena.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who controversially made 10 changes from his team at Manchester United last month, this time fielded an unchanged team from the one that beat Burnley last weekend to vindicate that Old Trafford decision.
Red alert
More through luck than design, this was Liverpool's most attacking line-up in ages with Benayoun wide, Aquilani providing neat touches from midfield and only Lucas as a holding player.
After the abject defeat at Portsmouth last weekend, Liverpool needed to do something to restore any level of belief in their fans and they started well with Aurelio's free-kick testing Marcus Hahnemann, before Glen Johnson chipped wide of the far post.
Gerrard had a go from 20 yards and Fernando Torres, only eight yards out, kept the American goalkeeper on his toes.
But Wolves, growing in confidence now in the top flight, are organised, compact and resolute and they slowly imposed themselves on a game that became increasingly difficult for Liverpool.
On the break Wolves were always dangerous. Jose Reina needed to be alert to keep out a shot on the turn from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and had to touch over a Nenad Milijas free-kick.
Anxiety is never far from Liverpool's defence these days, and Kevin Doyle's header wide from a corner and a 20-yarder from Milijas had the hosts worried.
Wolves could sense the unease, and Liverpool were failing to keep possession as they tried to put together quick-passing moves.
Hahnemann saved well when Johnson found space in the box for a low drive, but generally Liverpool struggled desperately to create significant openings.
Liverpool started the second period with greater resolve and one decent passing movement created space for Gerrard to let fly, Hahnemann saving to his left.
Key moment
Then six minutes into the half came the key moment in the match when referee Marriner got himself into a terrible mess after a second foul in quick succession by Ward.
Firstly he was booked for pulling back Benayoun after 48 minutes, then three minutes later he hauled down Lucas.
But the official initially booked Berra for that second offence before a posse of Liverpool players persuaded him to consult a linesman, who pointed out the error.
Reina was booed from then on by the Wolves fans for racing 80 yards to get involved in the debate.
Ward was eventually called forward and shown a second yellow card and a red, putting Wolves down to ten men.
And it did not take Liverpool to take the lead.
It came after 62 minutes when Emiliano Insua got down the left to cross for Gerrard to climb above Milijas and head powerfully past Hahnemann to score only his fifth of the season.
The Serbian was replaced before the restart, Michael Mancienne coming on to further reinforce Wolves' defence, with striker Chris Iwelumo replacing Ebanks-Blake.
But the balance had swung now to Liverpool, and even a home side still way short of their best were not going to waste this opportunity for a much-needed win.
Benayoun settled the issue with a deflected drive off Karl Henry for the second after 70 minutes.
Kuyt came on for Aurelio with 14 minutes left, with teenager Daniel Pacheco replacing a tiring Aquilani after 84 minutes.
Jay Spearing then took over from Benayoun, a relieved Liverpool having secured a much-needed victory.
| Liverpool |
Team Statistics |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 7 |
Corners |
1 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
10 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
1 |
| 85.7 |
Passing Success |
67.4 |
| 20 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 60 |
Tackles Success |
81 |
| 67.5 |
Possession |
32.5 |
| 56.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
43.2 |
|
