Wirtz bags his first Liverpool goal to kill Wolves, as Arsenal survive Brighton's revenge game vs. Trossard

Don't let those two scoreboards fool you - Liverpool and Arsenal did register respective 2-1 Premier League victories on Saturday, but it was anything but just another day at the office for both.

The Reds' triumph at Anfield against the EPL strugglers Wolverhampton will be remembered by Florian Wirtz's very first goal for the Scousers since his arrival. It came in the 42nd minute, just a minute following Ryan Gravenberch's opener and what makes it more special for the German international is the fact that he has finally found his former self - first assist in the previous Premier League round, now a goal to his name.

Interestingly, Hugo Ekitike scored the other day thanks to Wirtz's immaculate pass, and today it was Ekitike who provided Wirtz with the gift and a massive relief. Everyone watching this game could see exactly what that goal meant to Arne Slot's most expensive signing.

Although the hosts were 2-0 up against the lukewarm visitors at halftime, Wolves surprisingly bounced back after the break. Not only did they reduce the gap through Santiago Bueno five minutes into the second half, but they also showed resilience and the desire to silence Anfield with a potential equaliser.

Alas, the favourites clinched a significant win, and will be optimistic coming into 2026 after their biggest, big-money signing finally showed glimpses of his unique set of skills. It's not too late, is it?

On the other hand, there seems to be no way back for the reconciliation between Leandro Trossard and his former side, Brighton and Hove Albion. The Belgian forward was seen as a traitor by both his former teammates and the Seagulls' fans, and their undiluted hatred towards Trossard was almost palpable tonight at the Emirates. Countless vicious tackles, constant chants, and booing demonstrated how thin the line can be between love and hate - and Trossard has crossed it with Brighton.

Thankfully for Arsenal, it didn't cost the Gunners any points in a somewhat strange encounter, which saw them dominate the game until the hour mark, before the suffering began.

Odegaard's lovely opener and an own goal created a two-goal cushion, which seemed to be more than enough for a landslide victory, but Brighton were far from impressed.

They pegged one back thanks to Gomez's precise rebound, before David Raya produced a contender for the save of the season - he launched a sensational save to deny Minteh's superb strike, which could have pushed Arsenal down to the second place behind Manchester City. The Spaniard's jaw-dropping effort made all the difference and kept the Gunners at the summit, with so much hope for the New Year.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 18

Friday

Manchester United - Newcastle 1-0 (1-0)

/Dorgu 24/

Saturday

Nottingham Forest - Manchester City 1-2 (0-0)

/Hutchinson 54 - Reijnders 48, Cherki 83/

Arsenal - Brighton 2-1 (1-0)

/Odegaard 14, Rutter 55 og - Gomez 64/

Brentford - Bournemouth 4-1 (2-0)

/Schade 7, 51, Petrovic 39 og, 90+6 - Semenyo 75/

Burnley - Everton 0-0

Liverpool - Wolverhampton 2-1 (2-0)

/Gravenberch 41, Wirtz 42 - Bueno 51/

West Ham - Fulham 0-1 (0-0)

/Jimenez 85/

20.30: (1.90) Chelsea (3.50) Aston Villa (4.10)

Sunday

17.00: (2.60) Sunderland (3.15) Leeds (2.85)

19.30: (2.35) Crystal Palace (3.35) Tottenham (3.05)

***odds are subject to change***