THE DETAILS
Venue – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Referee – Craig Pawson
Date & Time – Monday, March 15th @ 20:00
Current Odds – Wolves 15/4, Draw 11/4, Liverpool 8/11
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Liverpool are seven points off the top four with just 10 games remaining in the Premier League season. It’s highly unlikely The Reds will qualify for the Champions League but you’d be a fool to bet against them.
Anyway, there’s always the possibility that we get into the CL by winning number 7 in Istanbul in late May. Again, you’d be a fool to bet against them…
FORM
Wolves Form
Wolves have lost just once in their last seven league games. They have not won any of their last three matches. Last time out, Wolves drew 0-0 away to Aston Villa.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side is currently 12th in the table with 35 points from 28 games.
Liverpool Form
On Wednesday night, Liverpool showed the level they are able to achieve with the current squad and who is available to them. They won 2-0 against RB Leipzig to progress to the quarter-final of the Champions League.
Jürgen Klopp’s men may have lost six consecutive league games at Anfield. However, they have won three of their last four matches on the road in the Premier League.
TEAM NEWS
Wolves Team News
Wolves are without Raúl Jiménez. The Mexico international striker is still out since sustaining a horrific head injury against Arsenal in late November.
Daniel Podence and Marçal are doubts and will both face fitness tests to see if either will be available for selection on Monday night.
Nuno Espírito Santo has stuck with his 3-5-2 setup this season. However, Wolves have lacked a real focal point in attack without Jiménez. Adama Traoré and Pedro Neto will most likely lead the line against Liverpool.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool are missing Virgil van Dijk, Joël Matip, Joe Gomez, and Jordan Henderson. Caoimhin Kelleher is still carrying a slight knock so it’s unclear if he will be in the squad for The Reds.
There has been some good news in recent weeks for Liverpool with the return of both Naby Keïta and Diogo Jota. I think Jota could keep his starting place for this one with Roberto Firmino on the bench.
Like most Liverpool fans, I have my fingers crossed that Jürgen Klopp selects the same starting lineup that did such an effective job in the Champions League in midweek. Most importantly, Fabinho needs to play at the base of the midfield, allowing Thiago Alcântara to push on into a more creative role.
Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak were solid against RB Leipzig and, with Fabinho in front of them to that extra layer of protection, they could do what’s necessary for The Reds for the rest of the season.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Wolves XI (3-5-2) – Patrício; Boly, Coady, Saïss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Otto; Traoré, Neto
Liverpool XI (4-3-3) – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Jota, Salah, Mané
WHEN THEY LAST MET
Liverpool won 4-0 when the sides met at Anfield back in early December. The goals that day came from Mohamed Salah, Gini Wijnaldum, Joël Matip, and a Nélson Semedo own goal.
In this fixture at Molineux last season, Liverpool won 2-1. Jordan Henderson gave The Reds an early lead before Raúl Jiménez equalised for Wolves. Bobby Firmino then popped up with a late winner to take the points.
PREDICTION
WOLVES 1 – 2 LIVERPOOL
I had originally felt a draw was likely in this one. However, after seeing the transformation for Liverpool with Fabinho back in midfield against RB Leipzig, I’m now feeling more confident about The Reds’ ability to get the win. If Jürgen Klopp sticks with the same side that played so well on Wednesday night, then Liverpool can take all three points here.
