Sadio Mane’s first-half strike proved enough to edge Liverpool past Wolves.

Mane opened the scoring in the 44th minute from a knock-down by Adam Lallana which was subjected to a VAR review for an alleged handball.

Technology would intervene again in the second minute of stoppage time when Pedro Neto equalised only to be ruled out for an offside against Jonny.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Reds finally get the VAR rub

 

If VAR is going to gift Liverpool the title, it has been taking its time.

Little changed as Jurgen Klopp’s side rolled on in their pursuit of a long-awaited first Premier League crown although they had a helping hand.

VAR continues to split opinion, with more against its use than in favour, yet at Anfield the tide appears to be turning with a belated stroke of fortune.

The technology gave the Reds a crucial advantage during the final stages of the first half when it correctly awarded Sadio Mane’s well-taken opener.

Minutes later it also conspired in their favour to overrule the visitors’ equaliser from Pedro Neto for a marginal offside against Jonny in the build-up.

Wolves’ players were understandably aggrieved at the half-time whistle as referee Anthony Taylor received a rare rousing reception from the Anfield crowd.

In a season where their side have been on the wrong end of VAR calls, Kopites can finally enjoy a rare spot of good fortune on the matter.

Anfield machine keeps on churning

 

Liverpool’s latest milestone is not merely the halfway point to the title.

Hard-fought though it may have been, Wolves’ visit also ensured that the champions-elect racked up their 50th Premier League win on home soil.

Since a shock loss to Crystal Palace over two-and-a-half years ago, the new world champions have yet to suffer defeat in any domestic fixtures at Anfield.

Equally impressive is the fact that Liverpool are closing in on an entire season without losing a game, with a run of 36 stretching back almost 12 months.

Given how they increasingly find ways of winning, from swashbuckling to scrappy, you would not bet against them ending this season unbeaten overall.

Maybe Dejan Lovren was onto something after all.

Current lack of depth showing

 

One of the early complaints levelled at the Champions League holders came during a summer where no senior outfield players were signed.

Going toe-to-toe with Manchester City again without reinforcements appeared a recipe for disaster, with the need for rotation likely to become key.

Liverpool have largely weathered the storm of injury to several influential players but a current lack of available options bore out in the team sheets.

With Xherdan Shaqiri nursing a slight knock, Adam Lallana was handed a surprise starting berth in the place of the absent Swiss international.

Yet it was on the substitutes’ bench were the depth deficiency became most glaring with three academy graduates handed rare Premier League spots.

Next month’s arrival of Takumi Minamino will go some way to alleviating the issue, as will the anticipated returns of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho.

Given the quick turnaround in games after the visit of Sheffield United, his Anfield career may need to hit the ground running sooner rather than later.

Salah’s struggles continue

 

Something is clearly not right with Mohamed Salah at the moment.

Liverpool’s mercurial forward left for the Club World Cup on a run of three goals in as many games to take his tally for the season into double figures.

Since jetting off to Qatar, however, Salah has not only found himself absent from the score sheet but also looks increasingly unlikely of even threatening.

He skied a well-worked move between Lallana and Mane from close-range before his follow-up attempt was a tame half-volley for Rui Patricio to collect.

Only the Egyptian himself will know what is behind the recent malaise but he is currently not the same player that won the Golden Boot two years running.