Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Liverpool at Molineux for the FA Cup fifth round on Friday night, with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
Wolves managed to clinch a shock 2-1 win vs Liverpool in the Premier League just a couple of days ago, and they will look to repeat that performance when the two sides face off at Molineux on Friday night.
On the other hand, the FA Cup is Liverpool’s best chance of winning a trophy this season, and they will be desperate to progress to the next round of the competition. After the defeat to the Wolves earlier this week, they will be desperate to make amends.
The Reds are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and it will be interesting to see if they can get their bearings together and bounce back strongly. The away fans will certainly expect a strong reaction here. Both teams will look to pick up a win, and this is likely to be an entertaining affair. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Wolves
Rob Edwards will be without Enso Gonzalez Medina (knee). Wolves are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Jose Sa in goal.
In the back three, Yerson Mosquera will start alongside Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno. Jackson Tchatchoua and Hugo Bueno will start as the wing-backs here. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit the Reds on the break.
Joao Gomes and Andre Trindade will add defensive cover and control from the middle of the park. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Mateus Mane will start as the attacking midfielders here. They will add width, place and flair to the team and help create opportunities for their teammates. Finally, Adam Armstrong will lead the line for Wolves vs Liverpool on Friday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Sa; Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Krejci; Tchatchoua, Andre, Joao Gomes, Hugo Bueno; Bellegarde, Mane; Armstrong
Liverpool
The away team will be without Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle), and Alexander Isak (fracture) this week. Florian Wirtz is unlikely to start, but he could play a part if he has recovered sufficiently from a back issue.
Liverpool are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Wolves, with Alisson Becker in goal. Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in the middle of the park, aiming to add control and composure to the team. Alexis Mac Allister will look to create opportunities for teammates in the final third.
Finally, Hugo Ekitike will lead the line for Liverpool vs Wolves, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah on either side of him. So, Wirtz and Federico Chiesa will be among the backup options on the bench for the away side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Ekitike
Key Stats
- 18 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Liverpool have five wins from the last six matches between these two teams.
- Liverpool have four wins and two defeats from the last six matches in all competitions.
- Wolves have three wins and a draw from the last five matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Hugo Ekitike
The French attacker is our key player to watch out for. Liverpool have struggled in the final third this season, and Ekitike has been the only bright spark in the final third for them. He will need to create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net. Wolves can be quite vulnerable defensively, and Ekitike is likely to get his chances. He will need to make a defining impact in the final third if Liverpool are to pick up a win here.
Prediction
Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
Both teams will be playing for a victory here, and this is going to be an intense affair. Liverpool will be desperate to make their mark after their recent defeat to Wolves. It will be interesting to see if they can produce a strong performance.
This is going to be an open game with plenty of chances on offer. The two sides are likely to get on the scoresheet, but Liverpool have more quality in the final third and should be able to get the job done. A narrow victory away from home is on the cards.
