Liverpool will top the Premier League table this Christmas after a 2-0 win over Wolves.

An unbeaten run extended to 18 games for the Reds when Mohamed Salah recorded his 14th goal of the season with a well-taken finish in the 18th minute.

Virgil van Dijk’s tap-in midway through the second half ensured that Jurgen Klopp’s side will stay on top of the league pile ahead of the festive period.

Here were the key talking points from Molineux:

The Year of the Dutchman

 

How quickly the past 12 months since Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool have flown.

A world-record fee for the defender was announced in December last year and his new club’s defence has been immensely richer for his presence.

He provides far more than just defensive solidity. There is also calmness, swagger and determination; traits which have become contagious in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

At Molineux, he attempted to end the year how it had started, with a vital goal to clinch the result and again prove his eight-figure transfer fee was fully justified.

Salah carries on up the charts

 

On rare occasions when Liverpool appear to struggle in front of goal, a marksman who can put away rare chances is a valuable resource.

By that logic, Mohamed Salah continues to be worth his weight in gold.

Although the Egyptian laboured in the second half, his current 11-goal tally is putting him on course to reclaim the Premier League’s Golden Boot this season.

Some early-season doubters claimed that Salah had appeared out of sorts despite recording just one goal less than at the same stage of the previous campaign.

If this isn’t good form, Liverpool can look forward to a much improved tally in the run-in to the season.

Robertson: a force to be reckoned with

 

Salah represented one of Liverpool’s best transfer finds but Andy Robertson’s own £8 million capture cannot be far behind his esteemed teammate.

A hard road to the top allowed the Scotland international to seize full advantage of a first-team opportunity to force his way into Klopp’s starting line-up.

That determination shows in his efforts to find the overlap, with Naby Keita in this game, down the left-hand side to shift the play away from his own goal.

It is easy to see why Robertson’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s leading full-backs continues to grow when nothing fazes, or gets past, him.

Gerrard link still flatters Henderson

 

History weighs heavier at Anfield than anywhere else – just ask Jordan Henderson.

Initially touted as Steven Gerrard’s natural successor, the midfielder then almost found himself moved on barely 18 months after arriving from Sunderland.

Those comparisons with the man he succeeded as Liverpool captain continue to plague Henderson, even with the armband firmly in his possession.

Acting as the pivot in midfield, he failed to gain control in that area during the first half which allowed for a handful of chances to fall the way of Wolves.

The hosts were easily able to drift through the middle of the park and create opportunities which, fortunately for Henderson, Alisson managed to save.

He may have succeeded Gerrard in name but, while his efforts and loyalty are unquestionable, Henderson’s influence on the pitch have fallen short of his former mentor.