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Wolves v Liverpool – The Premier League Preview

With the irritating international window now finally complete, Liverpool can once again resume their Premier League assault with a trip to the Molineux Stadium. This dreaded Saturday lunchtime kick-off has too often been the poor weekend start that none of us wanted, yet the team’s regeneration will hopefully enable more change than just that of the personnel.

The Wolves Availability
Recent Performance and Predicted Line-Up

In terms of the players available to the new Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, Gary O’Neil, Joe Hodge is injured, with the remainder of the squad fit and ready for the weekend encounter. The home side have recorded just three points from their opening four games this season. An unlucky 0-1 loss away to Manchester United was quickly followed by a 1-4 thrashing by the mightily impressive Brighton. That embarrassing home defeat was soon forgotten, as a trip to Goodison Park ended in an important 0-1 victory. Their final match before the international break ended with a second away loss of the campaign, as Crystal Palace took the spoils in their 3-2 win. Along the way, Wanderers were able to beat Blackpool 5-0 in their EFL Cup 2nd round tie. O’Neil’s team currently sits 15th in the Premier League and I would imagine that their starting eleven will resemble that which narrowly lost at Selhurst Park, given the lack of options and endeavour shown that day.

The Liverpool Availability
Team News and Key Players

Some good competition has now emerged from an interesting and busy summer of change. Ibrahima Konaté appears set to remain sidelined, whilst Virgil van Dijk is now serving an additional one-game suspension for dissent. Trent Alexander Arnold has a knock (sustained against Villa), whereas Thiago Alcântara’s fitness levels are once again unknown. A whole raft of players has spent the last week on international duty; therefore, the hope is that all participants return unscathed. After a very good start to the season, ten points from four games represents exactly the start which was desired and perhaps achievable by the Reds. A current 3rd place league position is something that must be maintained and built upon, regardless of any fear of the lunchtime kick-off. A lacklustre 1-1 draw away to Chelsea was followed by a good 3-1 win at home to Bournemouth, before that emphatic smash and grab 1-2 victory away to Newcastle. The final game before the break saw the Reds’ best display of the season, as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Anfield, with Aston Villa unable to threaten a vastly superior side.

Jarell Quansah could well start this next game if Joe Gomez is ushered into right back for our injured vice-captain. Joël Matip and Andy Robertson will complete the back four. The midfield will surely be that which dominated Aston Villa in their 3-0 win at Anfield. Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai were rampant that day; therefore, only international fatigue would see an alteration. The attack should also remain unchanged, as a desire to see Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz form a new look starting forward line.

How Will This Contest Play Out
What to Expect from This Premier League Clash

The post-international games are often tricky affairs, especially this early in the season. Predictions on the starting eleven could be a mixture of what we want and what is feasible. The Reds enter match week five with confidence and some young players that are fighting to gain a place in the manager’s starting group. Ultimately, the goal threat of the visitors should be enough to overcome a Wolves team that is destined for a relegation battle. Though Liverpool often struggled to overcome supposed weaker teams in the 2022/23 campaign, the reenergized Liverpool squad should have enough to secure a victory and three more valuable points.

Player to Watch – Dominik Szoboszlai
The Rising Star

Score Prediction
An Action-Packed Showdown Predicted

Wolves 2 – 4 Liverpool

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