After the Goodison storm, the trace of a blue sky overhead, the crocuses in bloom behind the Anfield Road stand and, with Liverpool’s lead at the top back at seven points last night, the prospect of the finishing line beginning to materialise.

But the story of the leaders’ first game in ten critical days was not as elementary as it seems. A victory which seemed to be arriving a breeze fell into grave jeopardy during a second half in which Wolves strangled the midfield, scored, and might have taken something away from this place.

They, like Everton last week, crowded out Ryan Gravenberch’s supply and reduced the leaders to a shadow of their best. For the first time since 2017 Liverpool failed to register a shot in a second half.

Wolves reminded a few people that they are a team of talents, too. Matheus Cunha, who unfurled the goal that brought jeopardy for Liverpool, will be a target for bigger clubs this summer, with a £62.5million release clause. It’s surprising that the Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has been the subject of more acclaim. If Liverpool are looking for a successor for Andy Robertson, then the 23-year-old did his chances no harm.

Of course, the result is the only significant part for a Liverpool side who perhaps were still feeling the consequence of Everton and who – with games at Aston Villa and Manchester City before Newcastle arrived here next Wednesday – know that this period could see them take huge strides to that title.

A Goodison hangover this might have been, but before the game Liverpool were refusing to contemplate what happened across Stanley Park last week. Arne Slot assiduously avoided mentioning that opposition in his programme notes.

Liverpool survived a second-half scare from Wolves to regain their seven-point lead at the top

Luis Diaz improvised and forced the ball over the line with his midriff after 15 minutes

The Colombian was then brought down by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa inside the box

He cautioned in them of a need to ‘channel this disappointment in the right way.’ An improved performance on what had been Liverpool’s worst under Slot was needed – ‘and nothing else’, he said. For 45 minutes, that was not an empty threat.

There were immediate traces of invention from Wolves, a side with distinctly more hope of survival under Vitor Perreira than his predecessor Gary O’Neil.

But when Liverpool executed a beautiful set piece from a corner in the game’s first moment – Andy Robertson sliding a 20-yard pass across the grass to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who sliced his half-volley wide – it seemed a return to their top class was imminent.

Alexis Mac Allister was conductor and architect, Luis Diaz the Exocet down Liverpool’s inside left channel. And then there was Mo Salah, of course, a treacherous presence, whose intensity strikes you so much in these days of uncertainty about how long his contribution will last.

On the edge of the line nearest the Kop as the teams line up, he gazed up into the Kop before embarking on usual prayer. His every stance in front of that stand is loaded with meaning.

Wolves contributed with some assistance of their own. It was relegation defending from them at times. Toti sliced a ball Salah had failed to control into the path of the advancing Diaz anyway, allowing him to breast Liverpool’s opener into the net.

Emmanuel Agbadou flapped at – and completely missed – a through ball for Diaz through, upended by Jose Sa for the penalty Salah converted for the second.

Liverpool also had their moments were defending was concerned. Alexander-Arnold’s poor back pass to Alisson under pressure early on as part of a mixed performance from him – high on supply as always but with some missed chances, too. Not convincing.

Salah fired home his 41st successful spot-kick in 50 attempts for Liverpool

Cunha curled home from 25 yards to reward Wolves’ dominance in the second-half

Like Everton, Wolves crowded out Ryan Gravenberch’s supply and reduced the leaders to a shadow of their best