As the curtain closed on the 2023/24 season at Anfield on Sunday, Andy Thompson was in reflective moon on Matchday Live Extra.
The Old Gold legend joined Mikey Burrows in the press box at Liverpool, and watched Wolves give their hosts a good go, despite the first half dismissal of Nelson Semedo.
Although beaten 2-0 on the day, Wolves showed plenty of spirit and welcomed Pedro Neto back to fitness, which left Thompson with a feeling of ‘what if’, as well as excitement for pre-season and the next Premier League campaign.
Wolves giving it a good go
Thompson said: “They battled on and showed so much character throughout that second half. Ait-Nouri got through with Cunha, where we should have scored, and it’s about missed opportunities and they were unlucky.
“They battled and chased for absolutely everything. They got blocks in and Sa made a couple of good saves in the second half. It’s the way we play, we battle for everything, and it’s good to watch at times and seeing your team winning, but unfortunately not today.”
The mindset changing at Wolves
“They battled for everything this year. I know things went against them, with injuries and decisions from VAR, but they’ve still battled on. They’ve given everything out there and worked hard.
“They’ve had a good season considering where people thought they were going to be. I know people will look at how we finished the season, but with all the things that have gone against us, we’ve still battled on.”
Different story without injuries
“If you’re losing all of your strike force, all your players that are going to cause teams problems, it’s going to hurt you. We just carried on playing as hard as we could to get results and they battled for everything.
“It shows you the character within this squad, with the way they’ve gone about it. The manager’s said all the right things, done all the right things and I think he’s been brilliant.”
Foundations being laid for the future
“He’ll have a pre-season and get to know his players even more. Hopefully some players come in and you’re hoping that some players don’t go, for what he’s done and how he’s worked, and the work rate he’s got from his team. They need a good rest now to get ready for next season.”
