The never-ending injury crisis put Liverpool in further turmoil on Tuesday night when they hosted Ajax in a crucial Champions League encounter. Alisson Becker’s hamstring strain was a further blow, yet the Reds managed to clinch a victory and boost their confidence overcoming those limitations. The return of around 2000 fans at Anfield will motivate them to uplift the show and deliver a stellar show on Sunday night against Wolves.
Wolves, meanwhile, suffered a massive setback when hitman Raul Jimenez suffered a horror head injury after clattering with Arsenal’s David Luiz in the early minutes of the tie. Yet the Wanderers were lethal in the attacking third and humbled the Gunners 2-1 at their own backyard. They have been consistent with their display under Nuno Espirito Santo and are now set to test Liverpool’s resolve in order to keep pace with the league’s ‘big six’ for a place in Europe.
Team News
Liverpool
While Virgil van Dijk is ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament rupture, his central defensive partner Joe Gomez endured a knee injury [patellar tendon] as well during the international duties. Alisson Becker, James Milner and Naby Keita might take a few more days to recover from their hamstring strains whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold [calf] would undergo a late fitness test to be back in the contention for the weekend game. Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continue to be sidelined with knee injuries, so is Xherdan Shaqiri who is nursing a knock since returning from the national camp. Despite having fitness issues, skipper Jordan Henderson and Andrew Robertson are expected to be involved against Wolves.
Predicted XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Neco Williams, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Andrew Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah.
Wolves
Raul Jimenez has undergone surgery and is ruled out for up to four months while Jonny is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term knee problem. However, Romain Saiss might be included for their Anfield trip if the Moroccan is declared fit having been tested positive last week for coronavirus.
Predicted XI: Rui Patricio, Willy Boly, Max Kilman, Conor Coady, Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho, Leander Dendoncker, Marcal, Adama Traore, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence.
Here Is The Liverpool vs Wolves Tactical Preview:
Talking Tactics
Liverpool
Although Jurgen Klopp has rested one of his ‘front four’ in recent fixtures to make the 4-3-3 work, a 4-2-3-1 against Wolves can’t be ruled out just yet considering the injury crisis in the middle of the park. This would see Roberto Firmino shifting as a midfield attacker leaving the ‘false 9’ role for Mohamed Salah. Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane would be operating from the right and left-hand flanks respectively.
Wolves
Wolves were found playing a rare ‘back four’ against Arsenal but might shift to their usual ‘back three’ set-up versus the Merseysiders. The absence of Jimenez is a massive setback, but the gaffer should rely on their wing-play to pose aerial threats on rookie Caoimhin Kelleher and a pretty much makeshift backline. The power of Adama Traore and the trickery of Pedro Neto would keep the Reds on their toes in the defensive half.
Key Men
Liverpool
All eyes will be on Jota though who completed a summer switch from Molineaux and has set the league by storm already in Liverpool colours. Kelleher, majestic against Ajax, should keep his place between the sticks ahead of error-prone Adrian.
Wolves
Skipper Conor Coady, the ex-Liverpool academy graduate and a lifelong fan, would be determined to contain his former teammate (read Jota) and upset the reigning English champions. Adama Traore, a threat with his pace and physique, would look to explore the width of the pitch amid fitness woes of Robertson.
