Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as they held out to beat Wolves on an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Diogo Jota was remembered by both sets of fans.

Arne Slot's side scored twice in two minutes through Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz in the first half and though Wolves pulled one back through Santiago Bueno, Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row - and now sit fourth. Wolves remain winless in the top flight this season.

Dinis and Duarte, Jota's sons, were mascots for the game and came out on to the pitch alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Jota, who played for Liverpool and Wolves, during his time in England, was remembered again when both sets of fans sang his song in the 20th minute. Liverpool retired his shirt number '20' following his death in a car crash in July.

Rob Edwards' Wolves held firm for most of the first half until Gravenberch broke the deadlock in the 41st minute as he finished from Jeremie Frimpong's ball.

A minute later, Wirtz got on the end of Hugo Ektike's delivery and slotted past Jose Sa to double Liverpool's lead.

The visitors had a glimmer of hope six minutes into the second half, as Bueno scored the rebound after Alisson saved Tolu Arokodare's header from a Wolves corner.

Edwards made three changes just after the hour mark as his side hunted for an equaliser and they came close when Arokodare headed over but Liverpool held firm to make it seven games unbeaten in all competitions.

In recent weeks, Wirtz has shown more and more signs of his quality. At Tottenham last Saturday, he got his first Premier League assist in a 2-1 win and he was a class apart against Wolves.

Wirtz signed in a deal worth £116m in June - and such a price tag comes with lofty expectations. The 22-year-old started slowly but things are starting to finally click.

The German played a stunning first-half through ball to Ekitike, who hit the post, and glided past the Wolves players with ease for most of the afternoon.

When the pair combined again just before half-time, Wirtz showed great composure to finish and the roar inside Anfield told a story of both joy and relief for a man who will surely have many more moments at this ground.

All in all, this was a far from convincing Liverpool display but Slot will take some comfort from the fact that Wirtz is now delivering - especially in a week where Liverpool's record signing Alexander Isak was ruled out with a broken leg for at least the next two months.

Wolves may be heading to the Championship at this rate but they can take plenty of positives from this display.

Just as in defeat at Arsenal two weeks ago, they made their hosts work hard for the three points and the way their season has gone, that alone is a good sign.

Wolves battled well and, despite spending much of the game camped in their own half, asked plenty of questions whenever they had the ball.

In 18-year-old Mateus Mane, they have a fearless talent who showed glimpses of why Edwards trusted him with a start at Anfield.

At 2-0, Liverpool could have run away with it but the visitors played without fear and ensured that there was a nervous energy around Anfield for most of the second half.

Liverpool's set-piece problems were exposed again when Bueno prodded in after Tolu got the better of Ibrahima Konate.

The table makes for difficult reading for Wolves fans with just two points from 18 games but this was certainly one of their more encouraging performances this season.

Liverpool host Leeds at Anfield on New Year's Day (17:30 GMT).

Wolves travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Tuesday, 30 December (20:15 GMT).