Even if Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, e no really mean say dem don fully enter Premier League title race, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
The festive football continue on Saturday as Liverpool welcome Wolves to Anfield, and for most fans, anything short of comfortable win go look like disappointment.
But Lynch don pour cold water on any title-race talk, insisting say Wolves no be the kind opponent wey you go use measure whether Liverpool fit challenge Arsenal for the league.
Wolves don manage just two points after 17 Premier League matches — a record wey tie with Sheffield United 2020-21 as the worst start in league history. Even worse, their goal difference bad pass Sheffield United own at the same stage.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch yarn am as e be:
“You no fit ask for better fixture than this. Home game against possibly the worst Premier League side of all time. Liverpool get chance to really punish them because Wolves don that bad.
But dem need finish this run strongly because after this, fixtures go tougher. If dem finish am well, dem no go enter title race, but dem go get firm control of top four — and na there dem suppose dey.”
At the moment, Liverpool dey 10 points behind league leaders Arsenal. Even if dem win, e go only be their third straight league victory, but the real test go come later when dem face stronger teams.
Liverpool Team News: Slot Go Start Federico Chiesa?
Liverpool injury situation still dey worry Arne Slot. Alexander Isak go miss months of football after e break leg against Tottenham. Mohamed Salah dey AFCON duty, and Cody Gakpo involvement still dey serious doubt.
With limited attacking options, many fans don begin call make Federico Chiesa start the match.
However, David Lynch hint say Slot get other ideas. According to am, Florian Wirtz fit operate from the left side, while Jeremie Frimpong fit handle the right wing.
“I like the idea of Wirtz for left and Frimpong for right. He be very good option for that side,” Lynch talk.
“Chiesa fit still play and he deserve starts, but whether na him or Frimpong, dem just need manage that frontline. E suppose still be enough to beat Wolves because right now, dem no be good team at all.”
There also chance say teenage winger Rio Ngumoha fit make the squad. But e still unclear whether Slot go trust the 17-year-old to start an important Premier League match.
How Much Liverpool Go Miss Dominik Szoboszlai?
Dominik Szoboszlai don arguably be Liverpool best player this season. Whether na as midfielder, advanced role or support attacker, the Hungarian don deliver consistently.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Szoboszlai go miss the Wolves clash after picking up yellow card against Tottenham, earning suspension.
Despite that, Lynch believe say Liverpool fit cope without am — and even see the break as blessing.
“Szoboszlai suspension fit force Slot to change shape small. If you wan experiment, this na the perfect fixture to do am.
Of all matches where you fit rest am, na this one. He get serious engine but the workload too much. I almost happy say this forced break don come.”
Szoboszlai don already play 2,692 minutes this season for Liverpool and Hungary combined. Last season alone, e rack up 4,309 minutes across club and country.
With that kind workload, short rest fit help am recharge for the tougher fixtures ahead.
Final Word
A win against Wolves go sweet for Liverpool fans, no doubt. But make nobody deceive themselves — this match no go define title race.
The real question be whether Liverpool fit survive the injury crisis, rotate smartly, and still deliver when the big tests arrive.
For now, the target clear: secure top four, stay consistent, and see how far that consistency fit carry them.
