Friday night delivered a result Liverpool simply could not afford to ignore.
While Aston Villa remain six points ahead of Liverpool, they have now played a game more after their defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That changes the picture.
The Table Context
Villa are still ahead.
But with an extra game played, the gap is no longer as daunting as it first appears.
If Liverpool win their game in hand against West Ham today, the deficit shrinks significantly.
Momentum in a Champions League race is everything — and Villa stumbling keeps the door open.
It prevents the gap from stretching into uncomfortable territory.
That’s the positive.
The Immediate Concern
The downside?
Wolves are finding form at exactly the wrong time.
Liverpool travel to Molineux next week for a double-header:
League fixture FA Cup tie the following Friday
And Wolves won’t be short on confidence.
Beating Villa isn’t just three points — it builds belief.
A Dangerous Opponent
Wolves at home are:
Physical Intense Direct
If confidence is added to that mix, Liverpool will face a serious challenge.
This is no longer a team limping toward mid-table safety.
It’s a side sensing opportunity.
Opportunity Still There
Villa’s defeat means Liverpool’s Champions League hopes remain very much alive.
Six points with a game in hand is pressure — but not panic.
However, that pressure now shifts immediately to the Wolves fixtures.
Win those, and the table tightens dramatically.
Drop points, and Villa’s cushion suddenly looks far more secure.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
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