I can’t help but think one point from the last two was a disappointing return.
Fulham are going along well but given how the game unfolded, that was a big missed opportunity to collect a maximum to balance out a stifling loss to Bournemouth.
Much like the match at Villa Park in January, Wolves were well on top but failed to fully exert their dominance and lost their rhythm after a goal conceded from nothing.
Still, as we’ve seen so often in recent weeks, points are being collected in unexpected places by all the teams at the bottom so we should view the next three as opportunities to do just that.
We’ve been more than competitive in all the games against Liverpool this season, so there’s no reason we shouldn’t expect the same again tomorrow.
Liverpool
After losing at Molineux things were starting to look rosy again for the reds before Real Madrid stormed back to all but eliminate them from the Champions League.
That really just leaves a top-four finish in the Premier League as their sole objective, making a stalemate against Palace last time out less than ideal.
As with more than a few of their games this season, they could easily have won or lost that one and remain unconvincing in defence, even with van Dijk back in the team.
His return along with Jota and Firmino at least gives Jugen Klopp more options as he looks to rediscover a winning combination.
Darwin Nunez missed the draw at Selhurst Park with a shoulder injury but could return tomorrow.
Wolves
Losing Matheus Cunha was a blow because his combination play with Raul, Sarabia and Nunes was the highlight of our performance at Craven Cottage. We never recovered after he went off.
Podence, Costa or Traore are the realistic options and Adama is the man Lopetegui has turned to most often so the smart money is probably on his inclusion.
I’m not sure what’s happened to Pedro Neto after his 45 minutes for the U21s. I had hoped we’d see him amongst the substitutes in the last two games but he’s vanished completely.
Gomes, Ait-Nouri and Moutinho are others that could enter the fray if the head coach is considering rotation.
Predictions
Well done to Prawny, Sea Pigeon, Portuguese men of Wolves, Woodend wolf, Rich, DebenhamWolf, Sandwich Wolf, DeptfordWolf, Pete Dunbar and me for getting the 1-1 scoreline correct against Fulham.
Rich now has a commanding six-point lead at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 24.
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!
There’s no doubt they’re vulnerable, but can we go there and put them to the sword in the same way we did at Molineux?
Sarabia getting on the scoresheet can hopefully get him going but I’m still concerned about where the goals are coming from elsewhere and that could be our undoing in this game.
Another cleansheet seems fanciful with the firepower at their disposal and weighing it all up, I reckon this could be a narrow defeat.
Well, the one thing that struck me with the addition of new players, is the flexibility afforded to our team. And I truly believe we should use that flexibility for this game. I am talking about a 3-5-2 formation , with Collins, Dawson and Kilman at CB and Semedo/Bueno being slightly more advanced into midfield area. Get Lemina, Gomes and Neves in that area and stick Raul/ Diego and Sarabia/Podence with them.
I think this is going to be much harder than our previous encounters with Liverpool. Sad to predict a loss, but having said that, we seem to do well when I predict a loss. So I am taking one for the team .
Doing the double over Liverpool; now wouldn’t that say something.
They are not the force they were last season and we are improving – with the odd blip.
Maybe slightly optimistic but hey ho.
Fourth time playing them in around a month and, if you ignore the malign outside influences, we’ve won two of the previous three. So, we go there without fear and with hope in our hearts, as one might say.
I believe many of Liverpool’s problems this term stem from opposition teams not fearing them anymore. They’ve had too many cock-ups of late to command such respect and we should go there in full, up-an-at-’em mode and show them and the world exactly what we are capable of. Fulham first half was just a taster of that.
COYW
maintaining my 3 pts in 3 games
well we lost to bournemouth – and it was before that game you made the statement?
Same for me mate
I quite like Vic’s three at the back option for this one but I don’t think JL will opt for such a defensive setup.
Now he’s got some game time in his legs I’d like to see Raul start again. Maybe as a two up front with Costa. I think they could bring the best out in each other, for an hour at least.
Back to my normal 2-1 Liverpool are really struggling so what a chance we have to get the win.
Over the last 3 games or so, WOLVES got off to great starts, due to some own goals by the opposition. Against Fulham, they scored a fabulous equalizer against us, but otherwise did not look like scoring, (except for the save by Sa at the end). Luck evens itself out!
Liverpool’s statistics are starting to look better. No goals against them in last 3 games, and only one loss at Anfield in the last 3o plus games. Not good for us.
Normally, I would wonder which Wolves team would turn up, and that would determine our chances. That still applies! However, I feel that the same applies to the current Liverpool team, so there some variables which could determine the outcome!
A fast start is a must and try to get them on the back foot early in the game. Liverpool are starting to get some of their injured players back so are slowly improving.
Probably best to start with Tarore and make Liverpool cover him with an extra player. If he does not play well, change him at half-time
To get a double against Liverpool, would be one for the ages. Doubt it will happen, but who knows!
Liverpool have looked there for the taking for most of the season as we proved emphatically in our last meeting. But, the Real Madrid mauling aside, they have steadied the ship somewhat since then with 3 successive clean sheets in the Prem.
We can cause them loads of trouble and should be looking to take the points. But I’m still worried about our form up front and so reluctantly going negative in my prediction for this one.
Tough one here… I wouldn’t like to say what sort of game it could turn out to be.
Both teams are a little inconsistent at present.
I’m still angry about the FA Cup, even after smashing em 3 nil. The history books won’t show it but we’ve beaten em twice this season, every real lover of football knows the truth of that Anfield farce. I don’t see why we can’t do it again and after a nil nil draw at Palace looks like their ‘resurgence’ has hit a bump in the road. I reckon J.Lo has Klopps number and tomorrow it hits the buffers completely. UTW
Goals, or the lack of them, is still the issue.
Nunes starting to look a bit like it and Jots back.
Just hope we aren’t blaming VAR at the end.
I disagree Steppenwolfe. The commentators and pundits loved that stat about our forward line ’12 months without a goal’ and repeated it several times since Friday but it’s just lazy journalism, the real story is before J.Lo’s arrival we had scored 8 goals in 15 Premier matches, since then we have scored 10 in the last 9 games which is mid table form at least given that we have only conceded 9. The goals are coming from all over the pitch which is healthy. It would be great if the strikers hit the goal trail for sure but it’s definately not a problem atm.
Agree with much of Thomas’s opinion above.
Was a great win at Molineux, but can we realistically get anything at Anfield?
Looking at our lack of goal scoring it would be a real optimist to predict a double over them. Guarantee that Diogo will score against us!
I’ll go for a draw and fingers crossed.
What you do get with a top, proven manager is an organised side with a strategy to exploit the oppositions weaknesses- they all have them.
JLo has introduced this and I no longer wonder
‘what Wolves will show up’ for the match. I do expect a backlash from Liverpool following their thrashing at Molineux and we will have to be at our best all over the pitch and have luck on our side to win. But why not? One nil to the lads.
A toothy young coach called Klopp
Has of late been a bit of a flop
Between me and you
I’m predicting 1-2
And our winner in front of The Kop!
“Boom Boom! Mr Derek!”
Having done my scouting by watching all of the scousers’ last two games, I’m pleased to report that in midfield and defence they are still extremely fragile. So, if we can cut the supply line to their dangerous forwards, which basically means giving no space to their full- wing backs, particularly Alexander-Arnold (why do supposedly unbiased commentators call him Trent as if he’s one of their mates?) then I think we’re in with a heck of a chance. Hopefully (possibly cloud cuckoo land), the ref will be less biased than the commentators and the last ref/VAR operators we experienced at Anfield.
No doubt in my mind, we should have secured four points against Bournemouth and Fulham. Both were winnable as well. Now we have three tough fixtures, and the winnable one to my mind is Newcastle, and even that will be a stretch.
I’ll be happy with a point at Anfield. 1-1.
We need something to keep on track to avoid relegation. Another point would be a decent result but with further difficult fixtures on the horizon, a win would be a real tonic. Defeat and come the weekend we could be right back in the mire. We are on a tightrope right now.
Tough one to predict – which Wolves will turn up and, indeed, which Liverpool will turn up? I’m not expecting a classic, a lot of huff and puff from both teams but I’d expect us to give them a game and, let’s face it, they’ve hardly set the world alight this season, we’ve nothing to fear.
Without checking, I’d hazard a guess we’re probably above them in the form table since the World Cup. Just hope we’re not overawed by the occasion, we weren’t in the cup and we certainly weren’t at home so same again please. I’m predicting what I think is most likely to happen but really hope I’m wrong. We’re more than capable of getting a result.
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I agree that the Fulham game felt like a missed opportunity, even though the result was a fair reflection of both halves. Liverpool can’t seem to find a consistent run of form, so hopefully we can grind out another result ahead of a tricky game against Spurs on Saturday. I’m not sure I quite see in Cunha what others can, but he’ll be a big miss regardless as the alternatives don’t exactly fill me with optimism.
You are not alone Ben. I don’t see anything in Cunha that warrants a £40m price tag. Nothing against the guy and I’ve seen worse but he is not a goal scorer and that is what was needed in January window. However, in fairness I don’t think he is properly fit. I don’t think he has played more than 70 minutes in any of the 9 or 10 games he has had with us, best time to judge him is probably next season.
I agree – the jury is still out for me on Cunha- but we will miss his movement and energy tomorrow. Whilst I have huge admiration for Adama’s skills and ability to change a game, he is a loose cannon and confuses our team as much as the opposition. I can see Cunha combining better with Sarabia/Hwang and Podence if we can get them all fit and on the same wavelength, then the goals will come. Probably next season now, as you say SCw.
We’ll go ahead, but they’ll come at us hard and pip us in the last 5 mins…
I hope they get called for too many players crowding the referee but I won’t hold my breath waiting for it.
I think the loss of Cunha will hurt more than some are expecting, but still hope we can come out with a point.
With the Scouse blowing hot and cold much like ourselves, anything could happen. But, as has been said, J-Lo may have Klipperty’s number already.
I’m in for the win, Jimi’s building up a head of steam, Costa could do with scoring, Serabia to keep scoring, Adama putting on the style, Sa a brick between the posts, Kenny Hibbitt on refs monitoring station.
The Golden Submarine on a stealth mission to sink HMS Anfield’
1 lv & COYW.
Worried that they will be out for revenge. Hope we start playing/pressing from the first minute and don’t sit back.
Would take a draw but will predict a win as always
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A happy St David’s Day to anyone on here of a Welsh persuasion. Even more importantly, a happy birthday to my better half, Barbara.
My focus should be on the delights before us at Rocco’s Italian Restaurant but I dare say my mind will drift to how many goals the Old Gold can score against the reds. I’ll settle for starters, dessert and mains.
I knew it was Barbara’s birthday today .. but thought I’d wait till you woke up later on .. seems like you haven’t been to bed yet .. Prosecco perhaps ..?
Pas on our birthday wishes to your good ladyship .. xx
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Barbara
With love from me and Sue!
Now, go to bed for Heaven’s sake!
Have a great birthday Barbara. I had no idea it was your big day as no-one told me though, to be honest, being a typical bloke, I’d have probably forgotten anyway.
Strikers gotta strike.
I think we done a bad bad thing beating LiVARpool 3-0 so the status quo must be restored and the likes of us put in our place ,so LiVARpool 3-0 with the mighty wanderers down to 9 men
‘I see trees of green .. red roses too .. I see them bloom for me and you .. and I think to myself .. what a wonderful world… ‘
Strange start to a post but for a good reason ..
We’re in NZ at present.. so I thought I’d FaceTime Paul Marney.. a Wolves fan/ legend in Perth (Oz).. had a good chat and realised how close we all are … in a few hours I’ll be watching Wolves at Liverpool.. or talking to the BOG… or West Parkian in the UK …
.. what a wonderful world indeed….
So .. back to Anfield to right the wrongs of VAR from the last visit.
We were exceptional in the FA Cup there and with new personnel in Lemina and Sarabia .. we could well get more than we imagined…
No Fear .. that’s the mantra for tonight.(tomorrow for me) and I’ve got a good feeling…
I don’t expect Cunha to be ready but JLo has got the Indian sign over Klopp in all depts… and we’re on a winner….
With Raul tormenting Van Divk and Traore giving Robertson twisted blood.. it just leaves Costa to tap in the winner ..
hard to be positive about this one until we look more likely to score
This is one of those games where any result is possible. Liverpool are not the team they were and we know we can beat them. Our problem is still scoring goals and putting games to bed when we are leading. I’d have Jimenez leading the line tonight with Sarabia and Podence, bringing Traore on at half time if this doesn’t work. The rest of the team picks itself. I’m sitting on the fence and going for a draw.
I agree with you that Liverpool are not the team they were, but I would say they’re twice over changing. Go back a little while and their form was dreadful and nowhere near the levels that they reached in recent seasons. However, they’ve been through and are probably still going through another change nowadays and that’s a positive improvement rather than a negative decline.
Given that and our ongoing difficulties concerning getting victories and given also the probable return of Jota tonight and I’m not as sanguine as you I fear. We only returned 1 point from a possible six in our games against Bournemouth and Fulham and we now have a much tougher run ahead of us. Consequently I’ll be delighted if we do achieve a draw tonight but I fear we won’t.
This game is even more difficult than most to my mind as both sides are very aware of each others play. The return of Jota and Firmino seems to push the points towards L’pool, but our new players seem to be working together with more understanding and good movement. Raul seemed to have found a bit more of his old self. I think Liverpool might edge it in reaction to their last setback. But who knows as they are so unreliableble.
I’ll go for a 2-2 draw…
I’d like to say 1-1 but I can’t think of Anfield now without the word “controversy”. No doubt we’ll be level till the 89th minute then someone will step on the back of Salah’s boot, it’ll fall off and they’ll get a penalty!
Fingers crossed they’ve got those cameras back up and running!
Should be end to end game hopefully
The lads will be up for this one.
Won’t want them to beat us so I’m afraid we will win this one.
Good to see Jiminez getting back to form.
Confident that we can get something out of this game.
Hoping we can be competitive. Would love a win (and the heart thinks we can get it) but the head is saying it won’t happen. Having said that I can’t predict a loss so I’m going for a draw (well it makes sense to me!)
Have a great time all of you who are going to the game.
Let’s do another Real Madrid on ’em!
A wild clearance from VVD will smack Klipperty in the gob and force his shiny set of dentures to leave his body and smash headlong in to Alison Becker who will be become bewildered by the teeth onslaught. During his moment of confusion and chaotic scenes in the Liverpool defence a gleeful Costa will nip in and end his goal drought with WWFC scoring a 87th minute winner. Liverpool 0 WWFC 1.
If that happens they could replace them with seats and he’d become the scousers first team coach.
Liverwho????
Watched Reds vs Palace and Matip and TAA were a disaster waiting to happen and Jota looked like the player we sold
If only Neto could be unleashed….
If not, then let’s go for it with Podence and Traore plus Raul….. . then. bring Vinicius Jr off the bench
That would be fun
Could be a belter
I think Neto was played much too soon after his previous long-term injury and its doubtful, in my view, that Anfield would be a suitable venue for his return. Until at least when we are 3-0 up after 80 minutes that is.
Agree entirely- he is still young and we don’t need to throw him back in until he is match sharp. If that’s next season, so be it.
They’ll be mad…
I’m expecting the expected: poor ref, sendings off, bad VARs, dying swans feigning injury, dodgy goals but maybe one unexpected thing: a goal from our strikers – Diego?
Shit referee – scoursers not being punished for blatant fouls and elliot makes me laugh – went down feigning an head injury when Moutino was no where near him.
Still the scoursers are really crap roll on the second half.
Let’s hope we have the Indian sign on the Scousers, had a fantastic time in Liverpool for the FACup , let’s hope we get what we deserve this time.
Coady on the bench. Interesting!
That’s the Everton one by the way, folks.
I didn’t see the game, only listened to the Mikey Burrows commentary, but it sounds like we were absolutely abysmal.
Liverpool were no great shakes but we made them look rather better than the rather average side they are now.
A bit worrying to say the least.
We couldn’t score in a brohel……another game firing blanks millions spent in January and we cannot hit a barn door……and the only option is to turn to Costa a player that was supposed to be a stop gap……….shocking really is…!
Only good thing about tonight is Everton got thumped.