---
title: "Wolves: Steve Madeley lauds Ruben Neves’ display v Liverpool"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-steve-madeley-ruben-neves-match-reaction/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-02-05T11:11:59Z"
modified: "2023-02-05T11:11:59Z"
---

# Wolves: Steve Madeley lauds Ruben Neves’ display v Liverpool

**[Wolverhampton Wanderers](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/) midfielder [Ruben Neves](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/ruben-neves/) was praised by the Athletic’s Steve Madeley after his performance against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.**

### The Lowdown: Brilliant win for Wolves

Wolves ran out 3-0 winners against the Reds at Molineux, with journalist Liam Keen [describing](https://twitter.com/LiamKeen_Star/status/1621914851269394435) the home team’s performance as ‘absolutely superb’, particularly for the manner in which the defence stood firm in the second half.

The Old Gold [raced](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64436196) into a 2-0 lead inside just 12 minutes courtesy of an own goal from Joel Matip and Craig Dawson’s [first goal](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/121477/verein/543) for the club, before Neves capped off the resounding victory with a close-range effort in the second half.

### The Latest: Neves praised

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/SteveMadeley78/status/1621914891798958085?s=20&t=pwP9IhvlxZEGK2LbcBpoCw) after full-time, Madeley was full of praise for several players, but he picked out the Portugal international as being Wolves’ best player on the day.

The Athletic journalist said: *“A remarkable afternoon, a fabulous performance and the kind of result that has the power to galvanise clubs in trouble. Great performances from Dawson, Kilman and Lemina but Neves on another planet.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419108″\]

### The Verdict: Fantastic performance by Neves

After being [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumours/liverpool-premier-league-ruben-neves-transfer-news-updates/) with a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window, the Portuguese midfielder showed Jurgen Klopp exactly what he has missed out on as he weighed in with an [8.5](https://www.sofascore.com/liverpool-wolverhampton/dsU) Sofascore match rating, the second-highest of any player on the pitch.

The Wolves maestro’s passing ability was on display once again, completing [seven](https://www.sofascore.com/liverpool-wolverhampton/dsU) of the nine long balls that he attempted (the most of any outfield player), while he also created one big chance and won all three of his aerial duels.

[Julen Lopetegui](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/julen-lopetegui/) will be delighted with the performance put in by Neves, who was [hailed](https://twitter.com/alexedicken/status/1621917034228469760?s=20&t=tPB1fQGIX0ikeyb85jQM_A) as ‘absolutely class’ by journalist Alex Dicken, and Wolves are now in a healthier position in the league table, moving [two](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) points clear of the relegation zone.