To say we’re due some luck against Liverpool would be an understatement.
It’s been 8 consecutive Premier League defeats since promotion and we’ve experienced a high degree of pain and misfortune in some of those matches.
The most recent debacle at Anfield cost us our place in the fourth round of the cup (albeit we have nobody to blame but ourselves for the toothless showing in the replay).
A couple of pivotal games follow against teams around us, so it would be a serious morale boost to pocket a result. With a beefed-up squad of players, I’m expecting us to at least run them close.
Liverpool
Things haven’t improved for Jurgen Klopp since they snaffled that win at Molineux the other week. A stalemate against Chelsea (that they were somewhat lucky to get) was followed up by another defeat at Brighton to end their own aspirations of FA Cup glory.
The injury list also continues to expand with Ibrahima Konate ruled out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. He joins van Dijk, Jota, Firmino and Diaz on the sidelines – a considerable amount of talent they need to get back on the pitch asap.
With the Champions League their only remaining chance of silverware they could have done without drawing Real Madrid. Even with a fully fit squad, that would be a considerable ask.
Making the top four already seems a stretch based on their own inconsistency and the 10-point gap they would have to close on teams currently playing much better football.
Can their deterioration be distilled down to the loss of Sadio Mane and some injuries? Possibly. They were practically unbeatable towards the end of last season so it just shows how quickly things can change when you lose rhythm and key personnel.
Wolves
I was a touch surprised that nobody else left towards the end of the transfer window, but am delighted that Lopetegui now has options right across the pitch.
If Dawson does come straight into the side, I’ve assumed Collins might be sacrificed on the basis he’s right-footed, but either he or Kilman could drop out.
I’m not expecting to see Joao Gomes tomorrow but will be interested to see how he’s integrated in the weeks ahead. Based on his profile, he’d certainly change the dynamic of the midfield.
Daniel Podence can count himself unlucky to have been left out against City and I can’t believe he’ll be on the sidelines again. Sarabia has a strong scoring record and if Cunha is indeed the centre forward we’re putting our trust in, he really needs to get a run of games.
Predictions
Well done to Sutton Coldfield wolf, Wokywolf, Aussiewolf and PeteRobbo who all correctly predicted a three-zip tonking at the Etihad.
Rich remains 5 points clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 20.
As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
Got a feeling we get something from this game
At 3pm today we need to go straight for Liverpool’s throats.
Press. Harass. Give them no time.
Respect them, grudgingly, but do not be overawed. This is not a great Liverpool team. They have scraped past us in recent games. FA Cup injustice is still raw. Use it.
Not because we were out played. Not because they are better than us. It was because we didn’t believe we could win. Not really.
Well, today that needs to change.
Their confidence is fragile. Molineux needs to be a boiling cauldron of noise. A deafening cacophony of support for us and derision for them. Every little Wolves victory cheered, every Liverpool loss applauded.
We have the quality to trouble the very best and this Liverpool are far from that.
Time for pay back. Time to string some wins together. Time we had the swagger.
It’s time we believe in ourselves and play without fear.
UTW
Our bogey team again , sorry but who is going to put the ball in the sprout net, good morning my lovely bloggers , wolves aie we
It’s about time we halted this dreadful run of results against them and what better time than now.
With our current squad settling in slowly but surely, it’s not going to be too long before we don’t need to look behind us in the league.
We really do owe our opponents a headache so bring it on lads.
Already beat them 3-1 this year, at Anfield! They’re on an awful run of form at the moment and I agree that Klopp will be expecting nothing but three points I just can’t see that happening.
They’re for the taking I reckon !
Not a cat in hells chance I’m afraid unless we get an unbiased ref or a VAR official with balls (any out there?).
We must play the team on the pitch and not the name. We have this infuriating habit of being overawed by big 6 teams even when they’re not in form. While Liverpool have world class players who can change a game in an instant, there’s nothing to be afraid of.
The likes of Brentford and Brighton have beaten these in recent weeks. We’re playing better now and have strengthened the squad so there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to get a result. All that said, I remain wary of a Liverpool side who will no doubt have had a rocket up their arse.
Spot on mate.
Not expecting much but quietly confident with the new signings. Go Wolves!
Hoping to get something from this game, the scousers are not the team they once were.
Hope you’re right mate
Maybe a good time to be playing them and if we get a fair crack from the ref and VAR I think we can nick a win.
Even when we were regularly getting results against the “big 6” these guys were the ones that managed to find a way against us.
Much of a team’s performance is based on confidence so surely, surely, this is an aspect where we hold more of the cards. We have shown improved performances and results under the new regime whereas they seem to continue to bump along the bottom of their own little rut. Also many of our players, for the first time really, know they are playing for their place in the team. There’s competition for places. How good does that sound?
Can we, for the first time in a long time, win some points against the scousers? I’m hopeful. I really am.
Anything could happen in this game. With so many new faces at the Mol it is even difficult to know who will be on the pitch, let alone how well they will all perform together. Thomas’ predicted line up looks like a reasonable shout but let’s see.
Meanwhile Liverpool have undoubted talent all over the park, but are in dismal form. After our very recent meetings we may feel that we know their side better then they will know ours – it may give us an edge. It does feel like a good time to play them.
But with so much unknown, I’m going to sit on the fence for this one.
With Liverpool’recent record I would expect a certain bounce back, but I really think we might, at last, get something from this game.
We just cannot go on getting the rough end of the bugle in our league games versus them; surely we are due a break.
Our initial problem is to find a balanced side to create chances with strikers attacking the central area. Hopefully we shall soon be up to speed with our newbies readily adapting to The Premier League. 2-1 to us…
Liverpool’s
Surely it’s about time we got one over Liverpool. Having said that, I have the exact same thought every time we play them.
“GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY!” Clint Eastwood may have coined the phase, but that is my message to Wolves this weekend!
Liverpool are there for the taking, with a bit of luck and an unbiased ref, we can get a result. Beware though, while riddled with injuries, Liverpool still have quality players who can change a game in a moment.
Generally agree with Thomas’s predicted line up. A high press early in the game is the way to go, and with both teams like to press high from the start, an early goal will be likely!
As usual, against Liverpool, we’ll be up against 12 men, minimum, when you count the referee, linesmen and VAR. Maybe, just maybe, the penny has dropped and we will get a fair crack of the whip for a change? I’ve long advocated for neutral-country VAR in the top leagues in Europe. The electronic link to Stockley Park will work just as well in Europe, and vice versa.
This match is massive and personal for us. We’ve been hard done by. I just wish this match was a few weeks down the road, as Lopetegui has largely assembled the squad of his choice, but he needs time to get them to gel. That said, on paper we should get something and for that I would go 1-1 but sod it, we’re gonna win this and I’ve put money on it, for a either a win or a win with BTTS. For the Prediction League: 2-1.
I’ve just got a really good feeling about the positive changes happening throughout our club.
Yes, it may take a little while for the new faces to settle BUT we have to start a winning streak soon and Liverpool should hold no fears for us.
We should be at them from 15.00 tomorrow, pressure them, don’t let them settle. Their confidence will be fragile.
They need, no deserve a good thumping from us, after recent injustices.
UTW
Id partner collins with Dawson myself.
But this is the first time we are going to see J LOs vision.
He now has the players at his disposal – 2 weeks of no football means he has had time
I am overly optimistic about tomorrow.
I reckon we are going to see the potential of this team….
exciting times.
Collins has been the main culprit for errors in the centre of defence and has to do a lot of last ditch defending so can’t see it myself. Although not perfect, Kilman is more reliable at present .
Collins is as inexperienced as Kilman, Both young and both have an error in them.
The reason i said collins is because with Dawson next to him, I BELIEVE, he will be a better player by miles.
And I agree he has some big errors in him, but some of his defending has be out of this world. He is also very calm on the ball.
I love Kilman, I do – but I really think it was Coady that made kilman play at his best, where i think dawson would do the same for collins!
Someone posted on twitter VAR has benefited LiVARpool more than any other team this season. If not for VAR they would be 2 wins off bottom. And we know all about VAR don’t we. VVD handball. Ball hits striker top of arm in lead up to goal. Ref says handball. VAR intervenes. No handball there. Goal. Neto goal offside VAR. Allison wiped out Semedo pen and red card. Nothing given. No VAR. Henderson header off top of arm. No VAR. Goal. Robinson stamps on Traore head. No VAR. Salah offside. VAR goal. Toti goal . Offside. Surely to god we get the rub of the green at least once ? I’m going 1-1 tomorrow.
You’re right to point out our rotten record against Liverpool since promotion Thom, they’re one of the sides I’ve always expected us to come up short against. But something is badly wrong with their current side and, for the first time in his reign as manager, it doesn’t seem like Klopp has the answers. Of course, they’ve got more than enough talent at their disposal to come good but they’ve looked out of sorts for a while.
For that reason, I think we might bag an unlikely result here. The crowd should be right behind the team after the boost of six new faces arriving in January, and I’m sure Lopetegui will have a game plan up his sleeve.
I’d be tempted to switch to a back five tomorrow as Liverpool are light in the middle of the pitch, so we might not necessarily need that third man. Either way, I agree with your suggestion that Dawson and Sarabia should go straight in.
Come on me babbies!
That looks. Fine team you’ve selected Thomas. One to beat enough of our adversaries to stay in this division. Add to it we can now look to the bench for what in rugby parlance would be called finishersI think we’re in with a chance.
This however is Liverpool and even in their state of comparative disarray can never be underestimated.
I’ll be happy with a point.
Like many I think it’s time we beat them (as shown on Final Score or whatever passes for the roundup of results these days).
I’m cautious bc we are still a very new team so I would settle for a draw BUT in keeping with my usual prediction mo I’m going for the win.
I shall be there tomorrow (Avanti West Coast obliging!) ready to add to what I fervently hope is an electric atmosphere (that drowns out the Koppites).
It will be interesting to see how the refs f us.
I expect to be livid the rest of the weekend over the injustices.
Good team selection, however, I wouldn’t mind seeing us with 3 CB’s + 2 WB., dropping Nunes at the start. With Dawson at the back, we have greater flexibility in playing 3 or 4 at the back. The main question is can we get more opportunities up front. Tipping a draw.
A victory tomorrow.
Let’s put their season up on bricks and nick a win
Do it for Emlyn!
Right game wrong time. Would have preferred for new signings to have time to gel before a “big 6” game. But oh well, Var will undoubtedly screw us but I’m hoping out of two points rather than three.
I’d rather they gel before the other games.
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For all the players brought in…..the most important one ……a proven striker was not…….why…….Jeff has splashed the best part of £130 million…….on five midfielders a centre back and and make shif striker….the Brasilian lad.
Why was the most important piece of the jig saw been over looked again…….this has been the case again and again since Raul got injured.
Goal have been a big problem……so why wasn’t this made a priority in this window.
As for the result if Podonce doesn’t play then we won’t score and even if he does we still won’t score more than one.
It really is frustratingly clear what we needed …….and if wasn’t midfielders.
Maybe Julen had a big say on who we needed. And it wasn’t Jeff who decided at all. He just opened his wallet.
I tend to believe it was Julen and his advisors who identified this windows’s transfers and would he have accepted the challenge at Wolves unless he had the final say on player recruitment?
I am prepared to trust in his judgement and reputation in turning round our fortunes; Rome wasn’t built in a day and there are plenty of games left should tomorrow take a familiar path.
The difference in previous windows is that Jeff was led by the nose by JM and acquired players not necessarily in the best interests of the club.
I cannot predict a loss tomorrow and let’s lift the roof from the off.
Part of our goal drought is a result of lack of service and creativity. That’s been addressed.
Sarabia carries a significant goal threat, Podence can score, Jimenez and Costa are strikers, Neto nearing a return, and Cunha is a forward, albeit perhaps better playing with another forward.
Kalajdzic is unlikely to figure this season, but we have far more balance and goal scoring options than a month or so ago. Don’t forget Dawson’s aerial threat on set pieces.
Also Premier league experienced proven goal scorers are as rare as rocking horse xxxx. I’m
So, yes, we haven’t signed a striker since the Summer, but we should have enough goal threat now to save our season.
Raul is past his best and so is Costa who was brought in until we could get to the January window and get a striker in……how many Premier League goals have Raul and Costa scored between then……….0……..zilch so why do you think they are going to come good know.
The midfielders we have now you could fill a whole team sheet …..how many strikers do we have…. 2 and they couldn’t hit a barn door from five yards.
Over compensated in the midfield and totally neglected the forward department another example of the tail wagginging the dog…..who’s doing the signings…….if it is the manager then where does he think the goals are going to come from given our record so far.
We will know in the next few months whether the right signings were made.
Just out of curiosity, who of the suitable strikers available that would have wanted to come to Wolves would you have signed, how much would you have considered spending and of the January signings, who would you have cut. Assuming of course that the money spent was the limit – it’s a business after all with FFP rules also..
How many times does this argument have to repeated and shot down in flames ? Try naming all these so called strikers who would have got us 10 + goals this season. You won’t be able to because there weren’t any within our reach.
Right score, wrong result.
Agree with Cheslyn Hay……..where’s the striker we need so badly.
Even if we had haaland from the start of the season we would still be in the same position. We’re not creating enough chances up front which is something JL is obviously addressing. Have some faith!!
Firstly, I do like a good cliché …
and for me it’s “third time lucky”.
Having lost the previous 8 encounters with the VAR beneficiary kings then this becomes our third third encounter…. so tomorrow is deffo the day .. (and no I’ve not been drinking).
The fuss about not signing strikers will be proven to be wrong or right in the coming weeks .. but as someone alluded recently.. having Mbappe up front .. we still wouldn’t score.. and that’s because the device hasn’t been great , neither has the goals from midfield players either.. a conundrum indeed.
I’d be inclined to play 2 centre backs , with Collins or Kilman left out.. ie a 4:2:3:1 which we have done …
Having plenty of choices off the bench is where we could benefit.
Liverpool are nowhere the team of last year .. Mane and VVD were big names for them and with Kounate out injured it’s probably going to be our best shot at ending the losing streak against them.
However.. I’ve checked who’s on VAR tomorrow… LEIGH MASON ..
Oh well…
As far as believing in a God, I’m agnostic at best.
But with what has been happening recently, on and off the pitch, if there is a supreme being, Wolves and their supporters are due a BIG break tomorrow..
There will be an empty seat in The Steve Bull tomorrow and we ought to dedicate a Wolves win to the Steve who should be sitting in it.
We are going to win…
I’ll say it louder as if I really mean it.
WE ARE GOING TO WIN!
Annoyingly, they always find a way to win.
Yes the team should win this for Brompton
Thomas’s line up looks fine BUT if he’s fit I’d have Ait Nouri instead of Bueno…I was at the match on December ’21 and he had Salah in his pocket for 90 minutes. As we know Ait Nouri went of with cramp and dear Hoever ( now departed) left the gap the Van Dyck.Salah and Origi expolited in the last minute of added time…’still can taste the bitterness
SO although my head says we should take a point I’m looking to the Gods…if they exist …to get us over the line in a thriller
OODCL
I’m hoping that the last two weeks have given JuLo and his team enough time to mould the new signings in with the rest of the squad and that we are able to put on a decent show tomorrow. This Liverpool side is there for the taking. Klopp is whingeing about his injuries. We have strengthened the squad and now have to put it into action. I think we will edge this one.
You exhibit an optimism which appears widespread throughout our forum Sandwich, but I’m still aware of our inability to score goals.
I think Sarabia is a steal and am excited to see him play more minutes. With better service, Jimenez will grab some goals – I feel it in my water! Will take a little time for the new boys to integrate, so I’m going for my favoured draw. UTW!
This is the start of something special, pity I won’t be there to see it. Can’t believe I agreed to a long weekend in Iceland in February.
I’m sure the South Bank will be just as noisy with out me.
Never mind Iceland Witley. If you’d agreed to a long weekend in Asda you could have popped across for the match.
.
I’m utterly fed up with playing Liverpool and us always coming off worse.
Not this time mate, we are going to ruddy stuff them.
COYW
We will score twice, Neves and Sarabia, but it won’t be quite have enough to get all 3 points with Sally rediscovering his shooting boots.
So how could Julian have identified Dawson ………six months ago when he wasn’t even the Wolves manager he was in charge of Sevilla.
Wolves tried to buy Dawson in the summer when Julian wasn’t even our manger and now all of a sudden we are told he was his choice…….really.
My God I want to beat this lot!!! The only top team we have not taken points off since being back in the Prem. They seem off it at the moment with their midfield seeming to lack the energy of previous Klopp teams and this is an area we have added to so this be vital but they do still have threats at the top end. A point would not be the worse result setting us up for two huge games
The new signings have allowed us to improve the squad across the board. If we had bought a proven goal scorer,the money required would have meant that we could not make all these signings. Happy to have a stronger team with competition for places giving extra incentive to the players. With the passion from Julen and the way he is trying to improve the fitness, confidence and team spirit i actually believe we have a chance tomorrow. The only caveat is if we shoot ourselves in the foot by giving the ball away when trying to play out from the back every time. We need to move the ball quicker and vary out play from Sa as we are far too predictable.
We deserve a win but we might have to earn a draw
One late piece of advice if Sa is playing.
DON’T play out from the back just for the sake of it.
He is a big mistake waiting to happen.
A long ball over the top for someone to run on to has often caused the Liverpool defence all sorts of problems.
TRY IT OCCASIONALLY!
Pressurise their pretty boy right back. He’s brilliant going forward but he could make, Stephen Ward, Clive’s old favourite, look good when defending.
We have the firepower to win this.
Let’s cock our weapons and let them have it. (Matron).
There is nothing like a well researched, carefully checked and accurately written piece of journalism. Unfortunately this is nothing like a well researched, carefully checked and accurately written piece of journalism. From The Mirror –
“Wolves will make Premier League history on Saturday afternoon by wearing green armbands in their fixture against Liverpool.
The Midlanders welcome the Reds to Molineux for a 3pm kick-off aiming to continue their upwards trajectory under Unai Emery. Wolves have shown some improvement on the pitch under the Spaniard since he replaced Steven Gerrard at the start of November but they remain 17th in the table, the same position they were in when their last manager was sacked.”
At least it takes your mind off VAR errors!!! 🙂
COYW
I’d take a point and that’s what I think we’ll get. Cunha to get off the mark
Gutted I can’t be there today but I’ll be listening to Mikey Burrows and team…and trying some satellite feeds.
I’m pleased there were no late departures, so the bench should be decent. Cunha seems content to carry our hopes on the striker front (and hopefully get off the mark today) but I still expect Jimenez and Costa to come good.
Come on Wolves, time to bare those fangs. Do it for the fans, particularly are recently departed friend Steve Biles.
Oops: ‘our’ not ‘are’
Feeling a good February ahead
My pic is three Wolves goals struck off by VAR and then Liverpool scoring by a player 10 yards offside but the cameraman was picking his nose so didn’t capture it…
Regarding the issue of a striker…….who and how much, every player has there price it’s whether you are willing to pay that price.
Wolves have spent the most money in a single window and Fosun should be applauded for that it shows just how seriously they take the current situation we are in but……the lack of a striker coming in could be the difference between survival and relegation therefor any outlay on a striker would have given us a much better chance of avoiding the drop this would be far more expensive.
After all only a month ago many fans were praying for the window to open, the Express & Star today have done a piece on this subject saying excactly the same Wolves have taken a gamble not getting a striker on board.
Hi CHW,
You have made this point a few times now, and peeps have reminded you that we could have six strikers on the pitch, but if we are playing out from the back and across midfield for 70 mins they’re going to be FA use.
We have tried buying strikers, unluckily one is in Belgium, one is in recovery. £53 mil. Or 3x Danny Ings. Nuff said.
1 lv & COYW.
It’s absolute twaddle to suggest every player has his price. You need a club wanting to sell, a club wanting to buy and a player wanting to move. There are a whole host of reasons why these requirements won’t align on this particular planet.
Greetings Blogocracy,
According to my research, Shakin’ Stephens was #1 with ‘Behind the green door’, when we last beat this lot at home in the League, August 1981.
Bollox to that, we beat them in the FA cup a few years ago, and Klopp is lookin’ shaky not J-Lo, who’s managed to get Gomes to swap the Maracana for the Mol, and bag some free airmiles in the process.
What goes around, comes around. We celebrate the ‘One pack, One planet’ sustainable footy launch. Hi ho sliver lining. Compton have installed a Green Barn Door to assist with shooting practice.
In passing, there is a tent somewhere on the verges of the M62 full of prediction league trophies, if anybody can find it.
1 lv & COYW.
VAR Permitting…….
About time we won. And they’re there for the taking
Common sense defending. Put the ball out and regroup if there is any question about safety.
Traore could have had 2 assists. Keeping the crosses low and softer. Why didn’t any coaches think of this before?
Three goals with no strikers.
A clean sheet.
Taking the piss out of Liverpool playing ‘keep ball’ for the last few minutes.
Not too bad.
Ole ole ole ole …….. marvellous 3 points. All that VAR bollocks. Banished. ‘Can we play you every week’. ‘We want 4’. Stuff of dreams.
Proof that salah can only score when he is in an offside position.
We’ll never score without any proper strikers Doog and there’s no way Dawson is an upgrade, too many midfielders (get rid of Lemina) and I hate the mobility that Cunha and Sarabia bring and why oh why was Traore laying on all those assists and potential assists. Moutinho is also past it; what’s he doing getting those tackles and passes in and running around like teenager?