Wolves have endured a horrible start to the season and are up against a difficult task as they host Arne Slot’s in form Liverpool in what promises to be an exciting Premier League clash.
Gary O’Neil’s side have started the season in poor form with one win in seven games in all competitions, having lost four of their five Premier League games this season. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been defensively porous, failing to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded fourteen (14) goals in five Premier League matches. They have now lost seven (7) of their last ten home games in the Premier League. On the attacking side, they have struggled to create quality chances, with five goals scored from 4.9 xG this season.
After a shocking home defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Liverpool got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. First-half goals from Luiz Diaz (2) and Darwin Nunez were enough to shake off a resilient Bournemouth side who had had a goal disallowed for offside in the early minutes of the match. Liverpool now sits second in the Premier League table, one point behind Man City while boasting the league’s best defense having conceded one goal in the Premier League this season. They have scored 2+ goals in four of five League games this season and are yet to concede in an away Premier League match.
Wolves vs Liverpool – Kick-off
Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024.
Time: 5:30 p.m [GMT +1]
Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton England.
Match Officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Darren England.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan.
Wolves vs Liverpool – Team News
Head coach Gary O’Neil has confirmed a viral outbreak in the Wolves camp with a host of first-team players affected. Toti Gomes is in contention to start after picking up an injury while Dan Bentley is available for selection.
For the visitors, first-team keeper, Alisson is in contention to start after being sidelined with injury while Harvey Elliot remains unavailable for selection. The rest of the squad is available as Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns.
Pre-Match Tactical Analysis
Wolves’ transition into a high-pressing team has failed to yield results as opposition teams have found it easy to play through their disjointed pressing schemes. Wolves are likely to change their approach against Liverpool, setting up in a more conservative and pragmatic approach, ceding possession and dropping in a compact block while looking to catch Liverpool on the breakthrough direct attacks and fast breaks using the pace they possess in attack.
Liverpool struggled to create chances against Forest’s stubborn and compact low block and will need to find creative solutions against Wolves who will likely try to replicate Forest’s pragmatic approach. Liverpool will need to be sharper and quicker in their passing patterns, giving the Wolves defense little time to drop into a settled block.
Wolves vs Liverpool – Key Players
Matheus Cunha
With Wolves likely to set up in a defensive and compact block, Matheus Cunha will be the focal point and outlet in attack. Wolverhampton’s game plan will be heavily reliant on counter-attacking football with Matheus Cunha primarily responsible for leading quick attacking transitions. His quality in fast breaks will be decisive as he’ll need to find the balance, knowing when to slow down play by recycling possession or when to attack an unsettled Liverpool backline.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool would most likely dominate possession with very little space between the lines for Liverpool’s advanced forwards to explore. This could leave Liverpool with so much space outside the block, requiring excellent vision and passing technique. Alexander Arnold’s quality with the ball could be the decisive factor in unlocking what would be a very stubborn Wolves backline. His ability to stretch defenses while slipping in line-breaking passes for his teammates could be the decisive factor for Liverpool.
Wolves vs Liverpool – Predicted Lineups
Wolves predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Johnstone, Semedo, Dawson, Toti Gomes, Ait Nouri, Andre, Bellegarde, Lemina, Joao Gomes, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Wolves: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Arnold, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Luiz Diaz, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota.
