Wolves boss Rob Edwards explains why Liverpool game was 'different' and admits his side is 'fed up'

Wolves head coach Rob Edwards described the emotional atmosphere at Anfield as his side paid respects to former player Diogo Jota before their match against Liverpool on Saturday.

Rob Edwards applauds the Wolves fans after his side's defeat to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Rob Edwards described the "really poignant moment" when his Wolves squad paid tribute to former player Diogo Jota ahead of an emotionally-charged encounter at Liverpool.

On Friday evening, the Wolves manager, alongside Jota's fellow Portuguese countryman Jose Sa and the club's interim executive chairman Nathan Shi, laid wreaths at Anfield in memory of Jota. The entire Wolves squad then observed a moment of reflection, including Rui Pedro Silva and Matt Doherty, who both worked alongside Jota during his spell at Molineux.

Saturday marked the first encounter between the two clubs Jota represented whilst playing in England, with his wife Rute Cardoso and their two sons, Dinis and Duarte, in attendance, joining the mascots as they walked out with the teams ahead of kick-off.

Speaking about Friday's tribute, Edwards said: "It was a really poignant moment, really emotional for one or two of our staff and players who knew him really well. It was right and really good we did that last night and paid our respects.

"With his family here again today, it would have been emotional for the two clubs he represented so well and gave so much to. Liverpool are a very classy football club and always respect their players," reports the Liverpool Echo.

"You could feel before the game it was different. I certainly could. I don't know whether the players could, I can't speak for them."

Liverpool and Wolves paid tribute to Diogo Jota during Saturday's game(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon leaves bottom-placed Wolves still languishing on just two points from 18 matches, despite mounting a spirited second-half fightback when Santiago Bueno reduced the deficit following a quickfire brace before the interval from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz.

"It's another loss, so it's difficult," said Edwards. "The lads are getting really fed up with this, and I know they are hurting as well.

"But I'll watch the game back and take some of the emotion out of it and look at some of the good things as well.

"The feeling second half is I saw a lot of running, endeavour, brave risks and a lot of quality against a top team. We can take a lot from it but we aren't taking any points.

"When their second goal went in it was normal Anfield again, we just hoped we wouldn't get in that washing machine when Anfield gets going.

"Liverpool weren't able to get some of the action going they can here, so that's credit to our boys for slowing them down."

Edwards continued: "We started the game not too bad, but then Liverpool began to force us back, they changed one or two bits and they pushed us high and we weren't aggressive enough where we wanted to press them.

"We adjusted (Mateus) Mane's position for the second half and I thought he was brilliant, we found him a lot in between the lines, it was a good adjustment and gave us a fresh impetus and be more attacking.

"We said if we get next goal it would be game on, and it was."