Gary O’Neil felt Wolves were the creators of their own downfall when conceding a ‘ridiculous’ second goal which ultimately cost them any points from their clash with Liverpool at Molineux.
South Korean winger Hee Chan Hwang had put the Old Gold ahead in a first half where Wolves were much the better side, although were unable to add a second which the head coach believed would have had a big effect on the second half. But instead, Liverpool came out the blocks strong and scored three times without reply, to condemn the hosts to a fourth defeat from five to start the season.
On not taking chances when on top
“I thought we had some really good opportunities, and the lads worked extremely hard, created good chances, and they were big chances as well. But when you miss them, you know with players like Diaz and Nunez and people like that coming on, then you may rue those missed chances.
“This was a tough game and they’re going to be a good side this year. They’ve got so many fantastic players, and we knew we’d have to perform perfectly to give ourselves a chance of getting something.
“We gave it a really good go for a long time, but we got punished for an error for their second goal and the last 10 minutes or so were really open and they scored a lucky third. We had a go for a long time, but, in the end, we fell a little bit short.”
On being punished in the second half
“Although they had a bit of control in the first half, we managed to break on the counter and create some chances, but they made some big changes and we conceded a goal.
“We were working so hard at 1-1 to keep it as it is and the second goal was a poor decision from us. To turn the ball over in the way we did created a bit of chaos and you conceded from a situation we sort of created ourselves.
“The second goal we conceded was a ridiculous goal to concede. Up until then we were hanging on in there, we were fighting and still trying to create some bits on the counter, but to concede a second goal from that situation was disappointing.
“You need to hang on at that point and we were, I thought the subs gave us some good legs, but the second goal comes out of nowhere – the 83rd minute we get to at 1-1 without Sa really making a save – once it goes 2-1 he has to make a couple.”
On Matheus’ Cunha’s performance
“We got him into some better areas today, which is a start. He doesn’t arrive in front of the goal as much as I would like, and we’re working hard with him on that, and he made a big improvement in that today.
“In and around the goal he had a couple of sniffs and I’m sure he’ll be disappointed he didn’t manage to stick one away because we got him in good situations. There was a couple of others in the first half. It wasn’t to be, the lads worked extremely hard and gave everything.
“Liverpool isn’t going to be the measure of where we’re at, but we need to make sure that next week we’re getting some points.”
On taking positives from defeat
“Bellegarde did well and tired a little bit towards the end, but he did very well, especially in the first half. There are lots we can still work with, but lots we can still improve, including the decision making for the second goal which was obviously disappointing, and there were a couple of other sloppy turnovers where we caused our own problems.
“But we looked like we were a goal threat and then we need to take our chances, because you’re not going to get many chances against them to be able to miss them. It becomes difficult when you’re only 1-0, so going 2-0 would have been big.”
On adding Ian Birchnall to his coaching staff
“He's experienced, having worked at top level football and had been working at Anderlecht. He has a really good tactical understanding of the game and is fantastic on the grass with the lads as well, so he’s been a really good addition to the team.”
