Liverpool are still in with a chance to snatch the Premier League title away from Manchester City and will have to win over in-form Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
What a season it has been, for Liverpool, Manchester City and the Premier League fans in general. The two title aspirants have elevated the competition to a new height, with either team that loses out on the title race set for the record points tally without being crowned champions in that season.
Liverpool have experienced magical nights this season, with the latest coming at Anfield during the midweek as the Reds overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat Barcelona over two legs to secure a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League. The focus will remain on Anfield, with the Reds set to host Wolves in the last gameweek of the Premier League, with the title race still open.
It may not be in Liverpool’s hand, but the Reds will need to win to have any chance to win their maiden Premier League title, while hoping Brighton can contain Manchester City somehow.
Wolves though, have been the 2018-19 season’s giant killers, with a brilliant record against the top six. They have secured the seventh spot in their first season back into the top-flight and will be looking to cap off their season with another scalp, this time influencing the title race as well.
Wolves emerged victorious on their last trip to Anfield, albeit beating Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2017. We now take a closer look at the two squads.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
There were a few casualties from the wondrous comeback against Barcelona. Andrew Robertson was forced to come off against Barcelona while Jordan Henderson played the entire ninety despite suffering an injury in the first half. The duo though, is set to be fit to be involved against Wolves on Sunday.
The big news is that Mohamed Salah, who was absent against Barcelona, is also fit enough to feature in the last gameweek of the Premier League. Roberto Firmino, however, will be a big miss.
With Robertson set to be fit, the back four pick themselves, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson on either flank and Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip in the centre. The two heroes of the match against Barcelona – Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi – are set to be handed starts as well.
Wijnaldum will slot in alongside Henderson and Fabinho in midfield while Origi is likely to start ahead of the unfit Roberto Firmino once again, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah set to line up on either side of the Belgian.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Origi, Mane
Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo has a full-strength squad at his disposal and will look to play spoilsport on Liverpool’s hopes of snatching the Premier League title. Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett will reprise their roles at the back in what has become a staple formation for Wolves under Espirito Santo.
Matt Doherty and Jonny have been immense in providing width and an alternate option in build-ups. They will likely retain their spots as wing-backs, with the central midfield set to consist of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker. Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota will complete the starting eleven for Wolves against Liverpool on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jimenez, Jota
Betting Odds
Favourable Bets
1. Wolves Asian Handicap + 1.5 @ 1.990
2. Both Teams to Score – YES @ 2.00
Underdog Bets
1. Full Time Result – Draw or Wolves @ 3.50
Key Stats
1. Liverpool are undefeated in their last 39 Premier League matches at Anfield.
2. Liverpool have lost two of their last five matches against Wolves at Anfield in all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet in the process.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are both tied for the joint-highest assists recorded by a defender in a single Premier League season (11 assists).
4. The 2018-19 Liverpool season is Jurgen Klopp’s best season in terms of points recorded, number of wins in the league and fewest defeats in a single season.
5. Mohamed Salah is currently leading the Golden Boot race with 22 goals, 2 more than Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sadio Mane.
Player to Watch
Raul Jimenez
Wolves have already secured Raul Jimenez’s future on a permanent basis on the back of the player’s best season ever in the big leagues. Raul Jimenez has 13 goals to his name in the Premier League this season and will be looking to end the season with one or two more.
The Liverpool defence might still be a bit jaded from the midweek match against Barcelona and Jimenez will be wary of any loose balls near Liverpool’s box.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-2 Wolves
Liverpool will give it their all, with the Premier League title on the line. But, Wolves have troubled Liverpool in recent history and the away side’s form against the top six this season has been enviable to say the least. Wolves have already recorded their highest points tally in the Premier League era and will be looking to add three more to their total.
Expect an open encounter, with both teams looking to bag the win. There should be goals aplenty in this encounter. We are going with a 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Wolves.
