Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah strikes steer Liverpool past Wolves - 5 talking points

Virgil van Dijk's week went from good to great as he inspired Liverpool's victory over Wolves.

The Reds, who saw a Darwin Nunez strike chalked off by VAR shortly beforehand, struck twice in the final 17 minutes as new FIFA Team of the Year inductee Van Dijk nodded home from close range before Mo Salah knocked in a second from Kostas Tsimikas' cross.

Wolves had battled well for the vast majority of the game and were left incensed at what they saw as a potential red card challenge from Fabinho, but Liverpool ran out worthy winners.

Here are game's talking points.

1. The future is coming around fast

Harvey Elliott was Liverpool's brightest spark in the first half and should have scored twice (PA)

While the quest to get in the top four is of course ongoing and has to be considered as Liverpool's only attainable goal for the rest of this season - a Madrid miracle apart - there are many fans who want the remainder of this campaign to be a sneak preview of the next.

That means fewer appearances for the likes of 37-year-old James Milner and the eternally frustrating Naby Keita, who wasn't even in the squad here. Both had started at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but here in came Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, two younger guns who have a lot more to offer this side both in the present and future.

Bajcetic bustled around as usual, but it was Elliott who was Liverpool's spark in the first half.

He could have scored twice having been found by Nunez, but first his header flashed wide and then Jose Sa saved excellently.

2. Liverpool too slow again

Liverpool were often a bit too predictable in their build-up play (AFP via Getty Images)

Elliott might have been the brightest player, but all around him there was little inspiration in Liverpool's attacking endeavours in the opening 45 minutes.

Just as at Palace at the weekend it looked to be far too easy to frustrate a largely pedestrian Reds outfit, with Wolves drawing on the plenty of experience they have in that department.

The return of Nunez did at least provide some threat, but even he was subdued for much of the first half.

So much has been made of Liverpool's midfield issues, and recently the defence, but what about upfront?

3. Wolves' solid spine

Craig Dawson was excellent at the back for Wolves (PA)

Wolves didn't make it easy for them though, and in their defensive axis of goalkeeper Sa and centre-backs Craig Dawson and Max Kilman they snuffed out Liverpool's attempts time and time again.

Dawson has been a particularly shrewd January arrival from West Ham, and it is clear to see why he was such a favourite with Hammers supporters and indeed wherever he's been.

Happy to engage and dominate forwards aerially, his partnership with the promising Kilman looks to be a flourishing one, and if those two and Sa can stay fit then Wolves should remain solid against the less well-resourced opponents.

4. Matheus Nunes

Nunes failed to exert himself in midfield (AFP via Getty Images)

While the makeup of Liverpool’s midfield for next season is unknown, there is a chance that at least one opposition player could be included in it.

The Reds have a longstanding interest in Matheus Nunes, who Pep Guardiola proclaimed as one of the best midfielders in the world last season. It was somewhat of a surprise then when he swapped the Champions League to battle against dropping into the Championship.

However, it has since emerged his move to Molineux was completed with the caveat his stay would be a short one.

But if Liverpool are insisting on making a move for a Wolves player, they may be better going for his colleague Ruben Neves.

While Nunes struggled to influence proceedings before being taken off, Neves was the heartbeat of a well-drilled Wolves side. After five seasons, it feels inevitable Neves will leave Wolves and there could be a place for him within Klopp’s engine room.

5. The stuff of 4th place finishers?

Salah grabbed Liverpool's second of the game (PA)

Whisper it quietly, but Liverpool are on a bit of a roll in the Premier League now.

This made it 10 points from the last 12 available, while Neves' goal in Wolves' 3-0 win at Molineux in February remains the most recent they have conceded in the league.

Is it inspirational stuff? No. Is it anything like the heights that this club have achieved in recent years under Klopp? No.

But it is where they find themselves now, and as they adjust their sights and prepare for a run to the top four home straight, they might just have found something of themselves.