There’s added spice to this game following the controversial events that occurred during the Boxing Day clash between the two sides at Anfield.
Pepe Reina in particular can expect a hostile reception. The Liverpool goalkeeper sprinted the length of the pitch in that match to ensure Stephen Ward took an early shower, which seemed unprofessional, to say the very least about his actions.
Steven Gerrard is likely to play tonight
That dismissal spoiled what had been an engrossing encounter up to that point and the game ended up being a procession for the home side, once they’d got their noses in front. Wolves certainly need better luck if they’re to cause an upset this evening.
You could classify any points picked up tonight as a bonus, but Liverpool are vulnerable this season, particularly on their travels, so a positive result isn’t out of the question. We’ll need to play far better than we have been though and find a cutting edge in the final third.
The team selection tonight will be very interesting, with players like David Jones and Ronald Zubar surely having played their way into contention with impressive displays in the cup on Saturday. There’s also the question of who’ll lineup in the center of defence. Mancienne was shaky against Wigan but performed better against Palace in a game that Berra struggled in. Here’s my predicted eleven:
Hahnemann
Zubar
Berra
Craddock
Ward
Foley
Henry
Jones
Jarvis
SEB
Doyle
I’d love to see Jones and Milijas in the same team, but I’m positive Mick will persist with playing Foley further forward than he should do on the right. I think SEB will continue up front, so hopefully his fortunes will improve against the side he supported as a boy.
It should be a sizzling atmosphere in a sold out Molineux tonight and a good performance is long overdue. But with Liverpool showing signs that they’re slowly turning a corner and Wolves struggling at both ends of the pitch, I can’t predict anything other than defeat. Hearing the news that Steven Gerrard has made a speedy recovery in time to play doesn’t bode well either.
We’ve already shown signs that we can compete for long periods against the top sides, but when we go a goal down there doesn’t seem to be a plan B. So if we are to get something, that first goal really is worth it’s weight in gold.
If you’re going to the match tonight, have a great time and roar the lads on.
Up the Wolves.
I get the feeling SEB will be dropped, which I don’t like. I think either Iwelumo or Guedioura will come in for him. So either 4-4-2 or a sort of 4-2-3-1 withHenry and Guedioura the defensive midfielders with Milijas (who has to play surely, if not Jones) in front. Get two wingers in, and have a go at them.
Jarvis wa sby far our best player at Anfield, and caused Johnson a lot of problems.
I reckon:
Hahnemann
Foley
Berra
Craddock
Ward
Henry
Guedioura
Bia
Milijas/Jones
Jarvis
Doyle
I think we can definitely beat them. If Gerrard plays, he’ll be playing half fit and without Torres and Benayoun we have a good chance of atleast a draw.
An early goal might be crucial. Every game we have scored in the first half (in league) we have one I believe.
won not one sorry,
Come on you Wolves!
Craddock and Berra are a must a the back for me tonight. While Jones did well, i’m sure Henry will play and we need Milijas in the centre. I’m all for Jones coming on second half though.
I don’t see any of the new lads starting, Jarvo for me has to play too. Not too fussed whether it’s Stearman or Zubar at RB.
SEB probably will start because we have nothing any better to offer.
Isn’t funny, a month ago, i thought we had a real chance going to Anfield, and we did play well. Now i can only see defeat. Let’s hope i’m wrong!
I reckon Gerrard will be on the bench too
That’s going to Anfield and winning
I’m lovin that formation there Louie! I’m not sure if itll totally work as bia and guedioura are unknown quantities for me, but giving them the benefit of the doubt I think that will be quite effective. One possible change…. I would put mancienne in that defensive midfield pairing. When hes played that hes managed to shut down the opposition players very effectively, and liverpool get very easily frustrated when that happens.
Buuuut I’m sure MM will do the 4-4-2 and keep foley in as right mid
Up the Wolves!
That’s a good idea with Mancienne Jub, maybe him ahead of the new lad.
It’s actually what Liverpool used for the past few years with good effect. I think it does have a good balance.
I agree it’s more likely 4-4-2 but Mick did just say he might try a new style, unless it’s boot it up to big Chris which isn’t new
I hope Reina makes a huge mistake anyway
As long as Elokobi is not playing we should be ok!
Team is this:
Hahnemann
Zubar
Berra
Craddock
Ward
Foley
Mancienne
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis
Doyle
Battled hard, but never looked like scoring, we badly need another striker
The only bad thing is that we didn’t score, that’s it
Every single player was brilliant. Craddock and Berra were rock solid, Ward and Zubar quality, Mancienne impressive. Doyle was abdolutely brilliant. Just a shame he couldn’t score
Great fight, great performance.
The real bad thing is that we dropped 2 points against a shocking Liverpool side. There is no cutting edge up front , and had 0-0 written all over it from the word go. Comes to something when we celebrate dropping 2 points at home as some sort of miracle performance . We can all sit back and admre that performance, ultimately, that team, it’s lack of quality and goal power will lead us to relegation
Thank goodness we didn’t concede as there is no plan B to get us back in the game
PS Milijas looked lost in a 5 man midfield, I wouldn’t ( and it’s not his fault) have rated him as brilliant. Doyle, Craddock, Henry, yes.. the others … very good
I also wonder how many neutral fans were sent to sleep !!
Who cares about neutrals dazza? That was a good performance, and being at the game it felt great.
Trust you to find negatives though, and maybe we should’ve won but if we play like that every game we’ll be fine.
These are not the games we should be winning, it’s games like Wigan and Hull on Saturday.
If we do win Saturday then it will be a a good point
We should have beaten a very poor Liverpool, and then a point on Saturday would be excellent. But we have to do it the hard way… I reckon another draw on Saturday, which simply isn;t good enough