Date: 15/03/2021
K/O: 20:00
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Referee: Craig Pawson
TV: Sky Sports Monday Night Football
The Wanderers host The Reds on Monday night, as Liverpool fight to avoid three straight league defeats.
Last time out Wolves shared the points in a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. An uneventful game left Nuno Espirito’s side in 13th place and closer to relegation than European football. Last week Liverpool picked up their ninth loss of the season as Fulham beat them 0-1 at Anfield. Another loss at home and another 90 minutes with no goals means Klopp’s side are now in eighth, as European football seems to be slipping further and further away.
In comparison to last season, both teams are having a disappointing 20/21 campaign – Wolves finished in joint sixth last year whilst Liverpool won the league. Now Wolves are in 13th and Liverpool are in eighth – it’s been a tough season for both sides.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are playing significantly better away from home this season though. The Reds have won three out of their last four away games, compared to losing six out of their previous six home games. The fortress that was once Anfield has been breached, so getting points away from home is vital if The Reds are to get European football.
Wolves have also been in poor form, with two wins from their last five games and a total of seven points. The Wanderers conceded seven goals in these games and only scored five in return. Scoring goals has been a weakness this season, as last week was the 10th time Wolves failed to score in a game this season.
For Liverpool, this season has all been about the absence of Virgil Van Dijk. But in recent weeks, promising Champion’s League wins against RB Leipzig has provided some hope that The Reds might be able to find some rhythm. Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak have only played twice together and have kept two clean sheets. This Monday’s game will be a great test of their partnership in the Premier League.
Wolves will look to Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves for attacking inspiration against the champions. Neto has five goals and seven assists this season and could cause the makeshift Liverpool defence a whole host of problems on Monday night.
Liverpool’s main attacking outlet could be ex-Wolves player, Diego Jota, who has recently returned from injury. Jota has only started six games this season but scored five goals before his injury.
Monday’s game combines two sides that are struggling for form but have the potential to explode at any given time. Liverpool are desperate to irradicate their awful form, whereas Wolves need to avoid a nervy bottom half finish – a game that could go either way.
Team News
Wolves
Daniel Podence has missed the last seven games for Wolves with a muscle injury and will be absent for the visit of Liverpool. Elsewhere, Raul Jimenez is still injured following a head injury obtained earlier this season.
Liverpool
Liverpool are likely to play the same defensive partnership of Kabak and Phillips used in their midweek victory again RB Leipzig. Elsewhere the only other issue for Jurgen Klopp is Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian forward has picked up a knock and missed the last two games. Firmino is subject to a late fitness test ahead of Monday’s clash.
Predicted Starting XIs
Wolves (3-5-2): Patrico; Coady, Boly, Saiss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Jonny; Traoré, Neto
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Phillips, Robertson; Thiago Alcántara, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Diogo Jota, Mane
Score prediction: Wolves 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool have been awful recently and that’s no secret, however, Fabinho’s return to midfield might put them back on track. Wolves have looked good as well, but they’ve really missed Jiminez and are certainly missing an attacking impetus.
