Liverpool will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Reds were held to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in their last league outing and they cannot afford to keep dropping points if they want to secure Champions League qualification at the end of the season.
Liverpool are currently seventh in the league table, and they are already nine points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Jurgen Klopp will demand a strong reaction from his players and the Reds must look to bridge the gap with their rivals now.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are 15th in the league table, and they are winless in their last two league matches. They could find themselves back into the bottom three if they continue to draw points. So the visitors will be looking to pull off a morale-boosting result here.
Liverpool have been quite inconsistent this season and Wolves managed to pick up a 3-0 win over the Reds at the start of February. They will be hoping for more of the same during the midweek.
Next up, we're back at Anfield 🏟️ #LIVWOL pic.twitter.com/pxzDJzvwtr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 26, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
The Reds are still without the services of Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara, and Calvin Ramsay. While Diaz has returned to training, he is not fit enough to feature here. Thiago is sidelined with a hip injury and Ramsay has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following surgery.
Jurgen Klopp is likely to field his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs and they will hope to add creativity from the wide areas. Ibrahima Konate should return to the starting lineup after training normally and Virgil Van Dijk is set to partner him at the heart of the defence.
Fabinho is expected to anchor the midfield and break up the opposition play here. Liverpool will be hoping to take an attacking approach at home and Harvey Elliott could be handed a start here in the middle of the park. The youngster will look to add creativity and flair from the central areas.
Stefan Bajcetic is expected to start as well, and the Spaniard will hope to add defensive cover and keep the midfield compact alongside Fabinho. Former Wolves star Diogo Jota has been training normally and he could start here as the center forward.
Mohamed Salah will start on the right and Darwin Nunez is expected to continue on the left after a series of impressive performances.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Nunez, Jota, Salah
Wolves
The visitors are without the services of Matheus Cunha, Chiquinho, Hwang Hee-chan, and Sasa Kalajdzic because of injuries. Julien Lopetegui is likely to stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jose Sa in goal.
Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri will be the full-backs, with Craig Dawson and Max Kilman at the heart of the defence. Ruben Neves will retain his position in the midfield pivot and the Portuguese international will look to add defensive cover and creativity from the deep.
Mario Lemina is expected to start here as well and he will be hoping to add drive and intensity in the middle. Adama Traore and Pedro Neto are expected to line up as the wingers here and they will hope to add flair and pace from the wide areas.
Raul Jimenez will lead the line for the visitors with Pablo Sarabia slotting into the hole behind him as the central attacking midfielder.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Neves; Traore, Sarabia, Neto; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches (Premier League).
- Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 home matches against Wolves in all competitions.
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 5 home matches against Wolves in all competitions.
- 14 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between Liverpool and Wolves.
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 6 matches against Wolves.
Player to Watch
Diogo Jota
📺 Jurgen Klopp on Diogo Jota:
"His return is massive. To get rhythm now will help him a lot. Today we have to make those decisions, who should start, but he's a top class player who is versatile." 🔴 pic.twitter.com/7BiOmU7u8P
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) February 28, 2023
The Portuguese international is likely to return to action against his former club and he will be desperate to prove himself after missing most of the season through injury. Jota will be hoping to regain his sharpness and get back amongst the goals.
Wolves have a vulnerable backline, and this is a golden opportunity for the Liverpool star to get his scoring boots on. His ability to link up with his teammates and carry the ball forward with his dribbling skills will trouble the Wolves defence here.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Wolves
The home side have not been at their best this season and they will need to improve in order to grind out all three points here. Liverpool have their backs against the walls now and they cannot afford to keep dropping points.
Wolves have been quite vulnerable this season and they are coming into this game on the back of two poor performances. The Reds were beaten 3-0 at Molineux at the start of February and they will be desperate to avenge that defeat here. With the likes of Konate and Jota back in the starting lineup, Liverpool should have enough to grind out a narrow 2-1 victory here.
