Liverpool head to bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Saturday seeking to as soon as once more present that they’re Premier League title contenders.
Wolves vs. Liverpool
Premier League (6) | Molineux
September 28, 2024 | 5.30pm (BST)
The Reds thumped West Ham 5-1 within the Carabao Cup in midweek as Arne Slot made 9 adjustments, protecting key males contemporary for the weekend motion.
Subsequent up is the journey to Wolves, who sit backside of the league after selecting up only one level from their opening 5 matches.
Right here’s all it’s essential to know forward of the sport.
1. Alisson anticipated to return for Liverpool
Liverpool have been with out Alisson for his or her final two video games, with Caoimhin Kelleher stepping up as an admirably constant substitute.
It appears as if the world’s greatest goalkeeper is again for the journey to Wolves, nevertheless, with Slot confirming as a lot on Friday.
“We predict he’s [ready to return], he skilled yesterday in part of our session so we anticipate him to do the entire session at present (Friday),” the top coach advised reporters.
“So we predict he’s out there, however, in fact, now we have to coach at present.”
For all Kelleher’s experience, having Alisson again feels enormous as he offers the back-line an much more dominant look.
2. Predicted Liverpool XI
After ringing the adjustments in opposition to West Ham, Slot is predicted to convey Liverpool’s big-hitters again into the group.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah ought to all begin, amongst others.
Cody Gakpo‘s glorious type does give Slot a variety headache on the left wing, however Luis Diaz is flying and can certainly play.
Diogo Jota may oust Darwin Nunez because the beginning striker, having made extra of an influence in midweek. Harvey Elliott is out with a fractured foot, along with his return not anticipated till late within the 12 months.
Attainable Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Jota.
3. Rodri’s harm opens door for Liverpool
Man Metropolis star Rodri is predicted to overlook many of the season by way of harm, if not all of it, which may have a giant affect on the title race.
The Spaniard is arguably probably the most influential participant within the Premier League – he’s unbeaten in 51 league matches – and Man Metropolis can look extra weak with out him.
Liverpool ought to see this as an actual probability to kick on and never drop foolish factors, with themselves and Arsenal boosted by the information, despite the fact that severe harm to any participant is disagreeable.
Ruthlessness is required from the Reds, beginning at Wolves.
4. O’Neil below stress at Wolves
Gary O’Neil impressed as Wolves supervisor final season, along with his fame rising having as soon as been Barry Lewtas‘ assistant with Liverpool’s U21s.
It has been a sobering begin to the marketing campaign this time spherical, nevertheless, with just one level to point out for his or her efforts.
Wolves have scored simply 4 objectives in 5 video games, struggling after dropping key figures Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, and the stress is on the supervisor.
A convincing Liverpool win would actually crank up the warmth on him.
4. Former Reds goal may very well be a Wolves “celebrity”
Andre is predicted to start out for Wolves on Saturday, having been linked with a transfer to Liverpool from former membership Fluminense prior to now.
Chatting with This Is Anfield earlier within the week, Wolves fan Harry Mansell spoke glowingly concerning the Brazilian:
“He already appears like he might be a celebrity for us like his fellow countryman Joao Gomes.”
He’s one to observe for Liverpool this weekend as he makes his fourth Premier League look.
5. Virus within the Wolves camp
O’Neil’s issues have been compounded this week, revealing on Friday: “There’s fairly a little bit of sickness really.
“There’s in all probability just a few who will want a examine on how they’re feeling. We’re hopeful that all the guys who’ve had one thing during the last couple of days might be wonderful. However, because the docs advised me, at this stage, it’s troublesome to provide a definitive reply.
“Among the lads will wrestle for tomorrow, whether or not they don’t fairly make it or are usually not match sufficient to start out. Generally it could clear up in 24 hours.
This leaves it troublesome to foretell their aspect. What we do know, although, is that defender Yerson Mosquera is out for the season with ACL harm.
Santiago Bueno is predicted to return in for him alongside Craig Dawson, however he solely has eight minutes of league motion to his title this time period.
Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Bastien Meupiyou and Boubacar Traore are all out for Wolves, too, however Toti Gomes may return.
6. “A really optimistic factor for us”
Talking to the media on Friday, Slot spoke with nice happiness concerning the attacking depth at his disposal:
“That’s the optimistic factor about enjoying so many video games, that these gamers will all the time play a whole lot of video games.
“I feel they perceive they will’t play each sport except it’s completely vital. [It] retains them match and sharp and to maintain them able to carry out like they do.
“So long as they settle for the state of affairs as it’s – and that’s what they’re doing in the intervening time as a result of they’ve good numbers and I see them smile quite a bit – then it’s a really optimistic factor for us.
“It’s additionally one [part] of my job, I’ve to maintain them alert and blissful within the place they’re in.”
7. Reds love late drama at Molineux
A pleasant routine victory is all Liverpool followers need this weekend, however current historical past suggests there may very well be late drama at Molineux.
Final season, the rating was 1-1 within the eighty fifth minute when Andy Robertson popped up with a significant strike, added to by a Hugo Bueno personal purpose.
In 2021/22, Divock Origi‘s stoppage time winner despatched the travelling supporters wild in a season that got here near ending in quadruple glory.
Then there was Roberto Firmino‘s dramatic late effort within the title-winning 2019/20 marketing campaign, sealing a victory that left Liverpool on 70 factors out of a attainable 72 after 24 matches.
That stage of consistency appears unfathomable proper now!
8. Did You Know?
Alexander-Arnold’s creativity goes to be very important at Molineux, with the hosts probably sitting deep, and he’s closing in on one other unimaginable file.
Liverpool’s vice-captain now has 100 purpose contributions to his title for his boyhood membership – 19 objectives and 81 assists – making him the youngest Reds participant to realize that feat since Steven Gerrard.
The 25-year-old is now solely 4 behind Phil Neal’s tally of 104, which is the file for a Liverpool defender.
Neal’s profession amassed 650 appearances and he took penalties, which sums up the genius of Trent.
9. Taylor takes cost
Anthony Taylor has been confirmed because the referee for Saturday’s sport, solely a number of weeks after overseeing Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Man United.
For all of the Manchester-born jokes at his expense, he really dealt with that event effectively so there may very well be worse officers in cost this weekend.
Michael Salisbury is assisted by Dan Robathan on VAR whereas Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn are the assistant referees. Darren England will act as fourth official.
It’s the first time England has been concerned in a Liverpool sport since being within the VAR sales space in opposition to Tottenham final season, wrongly disallowing Diaz’s purpose.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Wolves vs. Liverpool is stay on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 5pm (BST), with kickoff at 5.30pm.
Harry McMullen is within the chair for This Is Anfield‘s matchday stay weblog, protecting you entertained from 4.45pm.
Come on you Reds!
