‘Need to step up’ – Joe Hart issues top-5 verdict on Liverpool after damaging defeat at Wolves

Key Highlights

• I think they have the quality and the capability to do it, but they need to step up.
• “Talking about the chances they created tonight, I know Arne Slot was saying they created more than Wolves, but they should create more than Wolves.
• They should be absolutely battering Wolves.
• Jose Sa has made one very good save, one half-decent save, and other than that I think he had a quiet night.”(Photo by Dan Istitene/)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLiverpool still in control of their own destiny…for nowA run of three straight league wins coming into last night had suggested that Liverpool were regaining momentum at the right time, but that has now been lost after the chastening defeat at Molineux, with the Reds conceding twice from only four shots faced across 90+ minutes. That Villa and Chelsea play each other tonight – with at least one guaranteed to drop points – is favourable for LFC, but the harsh truth is that we need to take care of our own business and not be left praying for positional rivals to slip up. Gary Lineker has also backed Slot’s side to finish in the Champions League places, and for now our destiny remains in our own hands, but more results like the one against Wolves would swiftly hand the initiative back to the other teams chasing a top-five berth. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHart is right in saying that, with all due respect to Rob Edwards’ side, they’re the kind of opposition that Liverpool should be defeating with conviction if they’re serious about qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition in 2026/27. The Reds have lost nine points with the concession of stoppage-time goals already this season.
• Add those on to our current total and not only is Champions League qualification a near-formality; we might even be just about still in a title race. Alas, the battle that LFC face is one that nobody would’ve expected us to be in at this stage of the campaign. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE!