Liverpool go dey rub hand together as dem welcome Premier League whipping boys Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield for Saturday festive clash.
Even though Reds beat Tottenham 2-1 last weekend, their goal difference still put dem outside top four for Christmas Day, while Wolves still dey ground bottom of the table, lost and confused.
Match Preview
Christmas period don favour Liverpool well-well. Arne Slot side don record three straight wins across all competitions, and don win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since September.
After dem grind Inter Milan 1-0 for San Siro in Champions League, Reds come back Anfield beat Brighton 2-0 before grinding out another big win against Tottenham for North London.
For that Spurs game, red card for Xavi Simons in first half tilt the game enter Liverpool favour. Substitute Alexander Isak break deadlock for 56th minute before Micky van de Ven rough challenge injure am.
Hugo Ekitike later seal the game with header 10 minutes after, even though Spurs still push hard for comeback late on, despite Cristian Romero own red card for stoppage time.
Arne Slot later explain say dem no fully dominate the game because of issues from earlier part of the season, when Liverpool lose nine of 12 matches between September and November.
Right now, Liverpool dey unbeaten in six games, five of them for league (3 wins, 2 draws). Anything short of win against this Wolves side go shock everybody.
History dey Liverpool side too. Dem don win 17 of their last 20 Premier League matches played between Christmas and New Year. Anfield too na stronghold, with Reds winning 25 of their last 31 league games played there during this festive period.
Only small warning be say Wolves don once beat Liverpool for Anfield during this same period – way back for 2010.
As for Wolves, calling this season “poor” fit even be compliment. Their 2-0 loss to Brentford last weekend mark their 17th straight game without win, equalling worst ever start to Premier League season.
Wolves don score just nine goals this season (worst in league), concede 37 (worst again), and don lose 10 straight league matches.
With just two points from 17 games, dem dey 16 points away from safety. If dem fail again, dem go nearly write their name for history book as one of the worst teams ever for English top-flight.
To make matter worse, Wolves don lose 16 of their last 17 league meetings against Liverpool. Only small hope dem get na say for all Liverpool league wins this season, na the team wey score first dey always win.
Team News
Liverpool suffer blow as Alexander Isak ankle injury go sideline am for about two months. Conor Bradley fitness dey 50-50.
Cody Gakpo fit return after small muscle issue, but Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni still out.
Dominik Szoboszlai dey suspended after fifth yellow card, while Ibrahima Konate dey one booking away from ban.
Mohamed Salah dey away with Egypt for AFCON, and even though him role don reduce before he travel, his absence still big.
Hugo Ekitike dey hot form, with five goals in his last three league games. If he score again, he go be first Liverpool player since Sadio Mane in 2019 (apart from Salah) to score in four straight EPL matches.
For Wolves side, defensive problems plenty. Toti Gomes out long-term with hamstring injury, while Emmanuel Agbadou dey AFCON duty.
Yerson Mosquera return from suspension na small relief. Hugo Bueno fitness still under check.
Other absentees include Rodrigo Gomes, Bellegarde, Munetsi, Bentley and Chiwome. Tawanda Chirewa dey represent Zimbabwe for AFCON.
Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen don struggle this season with just one goal in 15 games, and he miss penalty last match. Tolu Arokodare dey push to start.
Possible Starting Lineups
Liverpool possible XI:
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Wolves possible XI:
Sa; S Bueno, Mosquera, Doherty; Hoever, J Gomes, Andre, Krejci, Wolfe; Arokodare, Hwang
Prediction
We say: Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
Wolves show small fight against Arsenal recently, but without key defenders and with confidence buried underground, repeating that performance for Anfield go near impossible.
Liverpool still get their own injury wahala, but Slot get enough quality and depth to deal with this kind opponent.
Everything dey point to comfortable home win for the Reds as Wolves continue their nightmare season.
