Jason Cundy has hailed Wolves for their brilliant performance against Liverpool, saying they outplayed the Premier League leaders and are now on par with Manchester United and Tottenham.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side produced their best performance of the season against the high-flying Reds on Thursday night, although it still wasn’t enough as Roberto Firmino’s late goal earned his side a 2-1 victory.
But it was perhaps the hardest Liverpool have been pushed this season, as Jurgen Klopp’s side were made to fight to ensure their unbeaten run extended to 40 games.
Adama Traore was unplayable and he combined brilliantly with Raul Jimenez for their equaliser, as the Mexican headed Wolves level after Jordan Henderson’s eighth minute opener.
The Reds were made to defend for their lives in the second half as Wolves really pushed them for a goal to go in front, with Alisson again in superb form in the Liverpool net.
But this team never gives up, and Firmino popped up in the box at just the right moment in the 84th minute to slot in the winner.
Few could argue with the result as Liverpool notched their 22nd win from 23 league games this season, but Cundy said they were the second-best team on the night as he praised Nuno’s men.
“Wolves are a really, really good team,” said the former Chelsea defender on The Sports Bar.
LIVE on talkSPORT
Check out all the LIVE commentaries coming up on talkSPORT, below…
- Sunderland vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Brentford vs Leicester (Saturday, 12:45pm) – talkSPORT
- Southampton vs Tottenham (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
- Hull vs Chelsea (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Manchester City vs Fulham (Sunday, 1pm) – talkSPORT
- Tranmere vs Manchester United (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
- Shrewsbury vs Liverpool (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
“They were a bit of a slow burner this season – the fact their season started early because of the Europa League hampered them at the beginning – but Wolves have enough quality and enough depth in there squad to live with that.
“Tonight’s performance I thought they were the better side, I thought they were excellent.
“Liverpool won and Liverpool are brilliant right now – they find a way – but they weren’t at their best and Wolves gave them a hell of a game. Particularly in the second half Wolves were really good.
“There was a period just after they got the goal where you sensed that Wolves felt there was more in this game than just a point.
“And Liverpool had to defend! There were scary moments at the back, but they just find a way.”
Wolves are currently seventh in the Premier League table, level on points with fifth place Manchester United and sixth place Tottenham.
It means they are just six points adrift of the top four and a Champions League spot.
And Cundy insists it’s no fluke.
“Wolves are a damn good side and they’ve got a good manager,” he added.
“They’re level with Manchester United and Spurs right now, and they’re there on merit.”
