Wolves v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Wolves face Liverpool. These sides faced off twice in January in the FA Cup as a 2-2 draw at Anfield preceded the Reds winning 1-0 in the replay to progress to the next round. Under Julen Lopetegui, the hosts have won two of five league matches since his arrival. Jurgen Klopp’s side are winless in three in the league with five defeats in eight on the road.

Wolves Form

Wolves made a coaching change prior to the World Cup break as Julen Lopetegui took over a side sitting in the drop zone with a paltry 12 points from 15 league fixtures. Since his arrival, his team have played nine matches in five weeks with four of those coming in cup competitions. His first match saw a 2-1 win at Everton before a late goal saw a 1-0 home loss to Man Utd.

A 1-1 draw at Aston Villa preceded a 1-0 home win against West Ham, with two cup draws sandwiched in-between those league results. Their last two fixtures have seen defeats, first to Liverpool in the FA Cup at home. Their most recent league fixture saw a 3-0 loss at Man City. They didn’t produce much in the match: 0.79 xG from 10 shots with no “big chances”.

Wolves Team News

Julen Lopetegui has been busy in this transfer window. Goncalo Guedes has been loaned out whilst the likes of Mario Lemina, Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia are high profile additions. The latter two were half-time subs against Man City and could start this one.

Joao Moutinho was a third half-time introduction at City and will hope to start in midfield. Wolves remain without Pedro Neto and Sasa Kalajdzic in attack with long-term injuries.

Wolves Motivation

Wolves are quite a bit more open and progressive under their new coach. They will take the game to Liverpool knowing they’ve performed well against them as recently as last month.

If trailing, there are a host of good options on the bench with seven front three options at the coach’s disposal.

Liverpool Form

This season has been a disaster for Liverpool, especially in recent weeks. Their last nine league fixtures have seen four defeats and they’re currently on a run of one win in six in all competitions. At the halfway point of this season, they’re 10 points off the top four. They began 2023 with a 3-1 loss at Brentford before losing their next league match 3-0 at Brighton in humiliating fashion with just 39% possession and being outshot 16-6.

A 1-0 FA Cup win at Wolves followed but that didn’t prove a turning point. In the next match, they gave up four big chances in a 0-0 home draw with Chelsea whilst creating none of their own clear opportunities. In their last match, a weakened Brighton team beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup as they were again outclassed.

Liverpool Team News

At the back, Virgil Van Dijk is out and Ibrahima Konate has joined him on the treatment table. The out-of-form duo of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will start. In attacking areas, there is still expected to be no Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz. Cody Gakpo could play down the middle with Darwin Nunez on the left.

The midfield looks like the biggest issue as both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are performing below par and have been dropped of late. Naby Keita, teenager Stefan Bajčetić and Harvey Elliott have all started of late in preference to the previously key duo.

Liverpool Motivation

If the Reds harbour realistic hopes of making the top four, then they need a full haul of three points in this match.

Jurgen Klopp will set his side up to win, but the high-intensity, high-pressing style of the past seems to be dying (or even already dead).

Key Stats

Wolves have won 3 and lost 5 of their last 8 home EPL matches

Wolves have seen Both-Teams-To-Score No in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the EPL

Liverpool have won just 3 of 12 away matches this season (in domestic competitions)

Liverpool have lost 5 of their last 8 away Premier League matches

LFC have conceded in 10 of their last 11 away EPL matches (12 conceded)

Verdict

Liverpool look a shambles right now in every department except goalkeeper. Wolves are work in progress with so many high-profile new additions and under a new coach. This match does look primed for an upset with the hosts taking a point or more.