Wolverhampton Wanderers' historic struggle continued at Anfield as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool, extending their winless start to 18 Premier League matches. With just two points from 54 available, this represents the worst opening to a top-flight season in English football history.
The Numbers That Condemn
The statistics make grim reading for Wolves supporters. Only Bolton Wanderers in 1902/03 have endured a longer wait for their first win of a top-flight campaign in England, eventually securing victory in their 23rd match. Wolves now sit 16 points adrift of safety – a chasm that appears virtually insurmountable.
Additionally, only Ipswich Town in 1994 (26 defeats) have lost more Premier League games in a calendar year than Wolves, who have suffered 25 defeats in 2025 across all competitions.
The attack has been particularly anaemic. Santiago Bueno's consolation at Anfield was just Wolves' 10th Premier League goal of the season – the lowest tally at this stage since records began. Their goal difference of -28 tells its own damning story.
Signs of Life at Anfield
Yet amidst the despair, there were glimpses of promise at Anfield. Eighteen-year-old winger Mateus Mane made his first Premier League start and impressed, twice testing Alisson Becker with efforts that demanded saves. Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare caused Liverpool's centre-backs problems throughout with his aerial presence.
It was Arokodare's towering header that created the goal for Bueno, who pounced on Alisson's save to halve the deficit. The striker also missed Wolves' best chance to snatch an unlikely point late in the contest.
"We showed good character after going 2-0 down," said manager Rob Edwards, clutching at positives. The former Burnley boss was handed the poisoned chalice when he replaced Vítor Pereira in early November, with Wolves already rock-bottom after eight defeats and two draws from their opening ten matches.
Youth May Be The Only Hope
With the January transfer window approaching, Edwards faces an unenviable task. The squad that secured Europa League football in 2023 under Julen Lopetegui has been decimated by departures and declining performances.
The emergence of Mane and the potential of Arokodare offer some hope, but expecting teenage talents to single-handedly rescue a season of this magnitude seems fanciful.
Wolves face Manchester United at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve in what could prove another chastening experience. History suggests they have until approximately their 23rd match to secure that elusive first victory – anything beyond that, and they would officially claim the worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.
For the Molineux faithful, the only question now may be whether this season can be salvaged at all, or whether Championship planning should already be underway.
