THE NOTEBOOK: Klopp keeps faith with Van Dijk and Fabinho as Reds boss has words with ref Tierney

Mohamed Salah maintained his record of scoring at least 20 a season every year at Liverpool as his goal helped secure a 2-0 win over Wolves which edged them closer to the Premier League’s top four.

The Egypt international turned home Kostas Tsimikas’s 77th-minute cross to double the lead given to them by Virgil van Dijk’s close-range header moments earlier for his 127th league goal for the club.

It put him one behind Robbie Fowler, who is sixth on the Reds’ all-time league scorers list, and secured a hard-fought victory that took their tally to 10 points from the last 12 and moved them within two wins of fourth-placed Tottenham with a match in hand.

Goals from Liverpool’s two most experienced players on the pitch maintained their momentum which had been in danger of stalling after Saturday’s disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace

Sportsmail’s DOMINIC KING takes a look at some of the things you may have missed.

Klopp keeps the faith

Form is very much temporary in Jurgen Klopp’s eyes. 

He prickled last week when Virgil van Dijk was the focus of criticism, making it clear that he “comes from a different time” where snap judgements carry no weight. 

Van Dijk will be given time and so, too, will Fabinho, whose form this season has left many scratching their heads. 

He had been one of the best central midfielders in Europe but shown nothing like those levels this year, prompting questions about his future.

Klopp has recognised the issues with the Brazilian’s consistency but will have been pleased with what he saw against Wolves, one moment in a particular – when he pounced out of the shadows to dispossess Matheus Nunes in the 10th minute in Wolves’ penalty area – as significant.

Touchline tussle

Fascinating to watch the interactions between Jurgen Klopp, referee Paul Tierney and fourth official Graham Scott throughout the night. 

Liverpool have never forgotten Tierney’s performance at Tottenham in December 2021 when he failed to send off Harry Kane and never awarded them a clear penalty for a foul Diogo Jota. 

Let’s just say discussions here were animated.

Dawson will be key

Wolves conducted plenty of business in January and the decision to recruit Craig Dawson from West Ham has continued to look smart.

He has always been an excellent professional, going back to his time as an England Under-21 international. 

He will be a key figure in the rest of the season.

Bajcetic thrills Anfield with tackle

One thing that will always lift Anfield is a tackle and, again, Stefan Bajcetic showed why he has been so quickly won a place in affections.

The 18-year-old hurtled back in the sixth minute to mug Nunes – a player who may yet be his team-mate next season – and cleanly won the ball, much to the home crowd’s appreciation.

Melee after spot kicks

Liverpool beat Porto on penalties to reach the last eight of the UEFA Youth League

Entertainment pre-match on the media room TVs was provided by Liverpool’s Under-19s knocking Porto out of the UEFA Youth League 6-5 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals. 

That only tells a fraction of the story, though, as one Porto’s decisive spot-kicks was missed by Jesus Diaz, younger brother of Liverpool forward Luis. 

It all got very frantic at the end with a melee erupting and Ben Doak, who has played for the senior team this season, leaving the pitch with a fat lip. 

Doak, a feisty young man from Glasgow, is a player whom Liverpool hold in high regard and you can be certain they will be watching the progress of Diaz junior in Portugal, too.