Wow. What a disaster. What began as a sluggish start and turned into a tricky first few weeks, is now on the brink of becoming a full-blown catastrophe for Liverpool. The Reds fanbase is on the verge of a total meltdown after their side’s humbling at the hands of Napoli in the Champions League this week.
Liverpool has the opportunity to respond immediately, in Premier League action, this weekend. They’ll host Wolverhampton Wanderers and anything less than a comprehensive victory would be a complete failure. They couldn’t have handpicked a better side to bounce back against. Liverpool has won their last eleven league games against Wolves. Their last seven games against Wolves have seen them score 15 goals and concede just two.
Wolves at Liverpool FYIs
Kick Off: Saturday, September 10 at 3pm, Anfield
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple
Google Result Probability: Liverpool 74% Draw 16% Wolves 10%
PL Position, Form Guide: Liverpool 7th, 9pts DLWWD Wolves 14th, 6pts DLDDW
Let’s have a look at the team news for The Reds this weekend.
Team News
The dark cloud of the injury crisis is slowly clearing for Liverpool. In recent weeks, players of the ilk of Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota have returned to the fold. It is a massive relief for Jurgen Klopp’s men. They still have a few injury concerns, though, so let’s check them out.
Jordan Henderson
‘We are still waiting for the result [of his MRI scan]. He is definitely out, he is injured, but the extent I don’t know.’
Ibrahmia Konate
‘In and around the international break, he will be back in training.’
Fabio Carvalho
‘He is walking around again. He might be ready for the weekend, but we’re not absolutely sure.’
Curtis Jones
‘When Curtis was out previously, he had a stress reaction in a bone around the tibia. It was absolutely fine, but he trained twice and then felt it again. It’s not as bad as the first time but bad enough to [stop him] training. We have to be careful.’
Elsewhere, perennial treatment room attendees Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita are both still out. Calvin Ramsay is close to a return but is unlikely to see any game time this weekend.
Starting XI Prediction
Jurgen Klopp hinted at a change in style following the 4-1 loss to Napoli, so with that in mind, I am going with something completely different this week.
Not so different that Alisson won’t start. The Brazilian remains in goals, with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip in front of him. Joe Gomez had a shocker in the Champions League this week, so he drops to the bench. Trent Alexander Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas start at right and left-back, respectively.
Fabinho plays a defensive six role, shielding the vulnerable back four. Ahead of him, Thiago returns to the starting lineup with the new signing Arthur playing alongside him. Ahead of those two, we see Harvey Elliot playing in a much more advanced role, operating as a number ten – playing off a two-man strike force.
That two-man strike force is comprised of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. Mohamed Salah drops to the bench, as we see The Reds play with a front two for the first time since the days of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
I don’t know if the gaffer will go for it, but it is a fresh look at Liverpool and this will give Wolves something to think about.
Stuey’s Two Cents
Liverpool is in trouble. And although Wolves haven’t been setting the house on fire, Bruno Lage’s men will fancy themselves to win here. They won’t. I also don’t think Liverpool will. I am going with a 1-1 draw that turns the heat up on Liverpool even more.
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He also co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.