Up next for league leaders Liverpool FC is some Friday night football in the West Midlands. The Reds will take on newly promoted side Wolverhampton Wanderers, winners of three in a row in a Premier League fixture. Wolves head into this contest just one point behind Liverpool’s arch rival Manchester United for sixth in the table.
Liverpool just absolutely demolished that United side this past Sunday and they’ll be on let-down alert in this one. Being well aware of how formidable an opponent Wolves can be, you know manager Jurgen Klopp will make sure his side doesn’t take this clash lightly. Let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both sides, starting with the visitors.
They will need to revamp the back line as the Reds will likely be without the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who probably won’t be ready to return until the Newcastle clash. Meanwhile Rhian Brewster (ankle), Joe Gomez (leg) Joel Matip (collarbone) are all out long term. That means Liverpool will be missing three defenders for this clash and Klopp might need to get creative with his lineup here. Midfielder James Milner is somewhat in doubt for this one, but the latest updates say he could be fit in time.
Milner can also play in defense when it is required, and it looks like Friday night will be one of those times.
Regarding Wolves, the only injury issue is with forward Diogo Jota, who will be absent due to the hamstring problem.
Nuno Espirito Santo may be forced into a reshuffle in attack, with in form creator Diogo Jota forced off with a hamstring injury in their victory over Bournemouth last time out.
Liverpool vs Wolverhampton FYIs
Kick-off: 8pm (BST), 3pm (EST), Friday December 21st, Molineux, Wolverhampton
Odds via Bet Fair: Liverpool 53/100, Draw 3/1, Wolverhampton 11/2
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win- 62%, Draw 23%, Wolverhampton win- 15%
Jurgen Klopp Press Conference Match Preview Video:
Liverpool Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Liverpool 3, Wolverhampton 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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