Preview: Wolves vs. Liverpool
Today at 11:30 AM
Can the Reds make it four wins in four?
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. LIVERPOOL
| Saturday, September 28th |
Premier League | Molineux
5:30PM GMT/12:30AM EST
Wolves have had some really atrocious results this season, though they may also be the poster boys for "the football hasn't been as bad as the scorelines suggest." They have, however, lost more games against Liverpool, specifically than any other Premier League opponent (16 — and 14 of their last 15), though they did beat the Reds 3-0 back in February of last year. They're yet to win a league game this season, and will hope to improve on this record on Saturday lest they have to start worrying about a relegation fight in September.
As you'd expect with their record thus far this season, Wolves have been having some defensive issues. No Premier League side have gone longer than Wolves without keeping a clean sheet: they've conceded in their last 17 league games, stretching back deep into the end of last season. They've also had trouble hanging onto leads, losing their last two league matches despite having a half-time lead (1-2 v Newcastle; 1-3 v Aston Villa). Wolves have conceded 14 goals this season from an xGA of 7.1: something has been very wrong — and perhaps a bit unlucky — at the back. They're mirroring Everton in this regard, and in fact only come into the match bottom alphabetically — the two sides have the same goal difference with an identical for and against.
Even worse defensively, Yerson Mosquera, their promising young defender, has suffered an ACL injury and will add to Gary O'Neil's concerns. Wolves' other centerback, Toti Gomes, was out last weekend with a minor hamstring issue and will face a late fitness test to be ready for this one, and O'Neil has said that a number of other players might be absent through illness.
While Wolves have perhaps been unlucky (especially against Newcastle) it is nonetheless fair to say that they have struggled both up front and in the goals they've conceded, and have notably seen performance levels drop near the end of matches. While the Molineux is a tough place to go, Liverpool will hope to exert control and finish the match strongly.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Salah, Díaz; Jota
Liverpool rotated mid-week in the 5-1 late demolition of West Ham United, and should come into this weekend's later Saturday kick-off a bit more rested (relatively) than previous weeks. Arne Slot's Reds are without Harvey Elliott still due to his fractured foot, but Alisson is back in training after his minor muscle issue.
Slot has some decisions to make up front, with all of his attacking choices making excellent contributions in recent matches — and not just on the scoreline. Cody Gakpo has put in performances at a level that should make him able to walk into any starting XI, but here he's unfortunately competing with Luis Díaz, who has had a dream start to the season. Darwin Núñez will feel he's done enough to earn a start, but equally Diogo Jota has not done enough do earn being dropped. Mohamed Salah remains Mohamed Salah. The attacking rotation is one to watch, as at present Slot has a number of high performing players to keep happy.
While we can expect the midfield and defense to return to the more set starting XI — Alisson should slot back in (ayyy) — there, too, players have given Slot something to think about: Curtis Jones will be asking what he has to do to earn a league start after some really strong periods orchestrating the midfield.
Defensively, Liverpool have had good luck against Wolves in the past, keeping a clean sheet at a higher percentage (65%) in the Premier League, which is the second-highest rate of any side in the league with at least 20 matches played per Opta.
What the Managers Had to Say
Arne Slot: ""I don't think [their league position] represents how they have played as they have had very difficult fixtures and you have to take this into account. I've watched some of their games and they should have got more than they got."
Gary O'Neil: "When you are losing games it becomes tougher to win them. They are a resilient group and at Aston Villa they gave absolutely everything. They made some errors and we made some mistakes and we got punished. But not through a lack of effort, resilience and togetherness. I know sometimes it can look different to that from the outside but I can guarantee you, 100%, that there is no lack of togetherness, resilience and desperation to get over the line."
The Officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn Fourth official: Darren England VAR: Michael Salisbury Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan
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