Wolves face tough test against Liverpool at Molineux
As Wolves gear up to face Liverpool at Molineux, they find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League table with just one point from their first five games. Gary O’Neil’s side has shown glimpses of promise but has struggled to close out matches, allowing opponents like Newcastle and Aston Villa to snatch victories from their grasp. The upcoming clash against Liverpool presents a daunting challenge for Wolves, who cannot afford to show any mercy to their opponents, especially with the likes of Mohamed Salah in top form for the Reds.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning four out of their five matches and conceding just once. The contrast in fortunes between the two teams is evident, with experts like Paul Merson and Chris Sutton predicting a Liverpool victory. However, football is unpredictable, and Wolves will be looking to defy the odds and secure a positive result against the title challengers.
Injury concerns for Wolves ahead of Liverpool clash
Wolves have been hit with a string of injuries and illnesses ahead of their match against Liverpool. The news of Yerson Mosquera’s season-ending injury, sustained in the defeat to Aston Villa, has dealt a major blow to the team. Additionally, Toti Gomes is a doubt for the Liverpool game due to a lingering hamstring issue. Manager Gary O’Neil has expressed his reluctance to rush Gomes back into action, hinting at a possible debut for 20-year-old Alfie Pond in his place.
In addition to Mosquera and Gomes, Wolves will also be without Dan Bentley, who is recovering from illness, and Boubacar Traore, who continues to nurse a knee injury. The absence of key players has forced O’Neil to reassess his lineup and make some tough decisions ahead of the crucial fixture against Liverpool.
Predicted Wolves XI for the Liverpool clash
In light of the injury concerns and absences in the Wolves squad, O’Neil is expected to field a makeshift lineup against Liverpool. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who has impressed since joining the club, is likely to retain his place between the sticks. The defensive line could see Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Santi Bueno, and Rayan Ait-Nouri forming a solid back four in the absence of Toti Gomes.
In midfield, Mario Lemina, Andre, and Joao Gomes are expected to marshal the midfield, providing cover for the backline and stifling Liverpool’s creative players. The attacking trio of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Matheus Cunha, and Jorgen Strand Larsen will be tasked with breaking down Liverpool’s defense and capitalizing on any scoring opportunities that come their way.
Wolves predicted XI (4-3-3): Johnstone; Semedo, Dawson, Bueno, Ait-Nouri; Andre, Lemina, Gomes; Bellegarde, Cunha, Larsen.
Overall, Wolves face an uphill battle against Liverpool, but with determination and resilience, they have the potential to cause an upset and secure a positive result at Molineux. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes, and fans can expect an intense battle on the pitch as Wolves look to turn their season around.