Big afternoon for Jarell Quansah
Big afternoon ahead for Quansah, who makes his first start for Liverpool with Van Dijk suspended, Konate not fit enough to start and Gomez needed at right-back with Alexander-Arnold out.
Sensible that Diaz and Nunez are benched, but a bit of a surprise Mac Allister again starts. Might have been tempted to go with Endo, but at least Liverpool have options
And in the gold corner
Liverpool team to face Wolves
Liverpool team to face Wolves: Alisson; Gomez, Quansah, Matip, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Jota.
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch, Nunez, Diaz.
Liverpool know what to expect from Gary O’Neil’s side
It has to be said Wolves are not a great team at the moment, although boss O’Neil did very well to keep Bournemouth up last season.
But then they were in a pickle when Liverpool last visited and look what happened then.
That’s the only game in the last 13 league meetings between the teams the Reds haven’t won, though.
Selection questions
What do we think team-wise today then? It will be with us in a little under 15 minutes. I think we might see Diogo Jota out on the left against his former club with Cody Gakpo through the middle. There might be a recall for Wataru Endo and I expect Joe Gomez to start at right-back. Perhaps a rest for Alexis Mac Allister too after his exertions in Bolivia this week.
Exciting line-up for Liverpool’s under-18s
A chance for Liverpool’s Jayden Danns to continue his goalscoring form.
It’s also the first competitive game for Trey Nyoni since he scored a hat-trick against Southend in a friendly, during the international break. The young Reds won 10-0.
There’s a Liverpool feel-good factor but business needs to be taken care of
Being at the AXA Centre on Friday, the feelgood factor was tangible around the place, none more so than Jurgen Klopp who spoke passionately about his new-look team and the fact that he views this as “year one” for this squad.
There’s a freshness to it all and they’re probably in their best mood since before the Champions League final in 2022. The fact they can go top of the league today, if only briefly, just feeds into all that too.
They’ve got to take care of their business here today though, it would be a huge pin in that ballooning optimism if they come a cropper at Molineux this afternoon.
Interesting calls for Jurgen Klopp to make
The international break means Klopp has some interesting calls to make regards team selection.
The four South American players didn’t train until yesterday, and personally I wouldn’t play any of them apart from Alisson.
And with no Alexander-Arnold, surely it must be Gomez at right-back. Which makes the return of Konate from injury timely at centre-back with Van Dijk serving his extra suspension.
An unwanted Liverpool record
Mind you, it’s a 12.30pm kick-off. And a 12.30pm kick-off after an international break.
Statistics show the Reds tend to be on at this hour more than anyone else in the Premier League.
Nobody likes 12.30pm kick-offs. Nobody. Only people who have some sort of… well, let’s just say nobody likes them.
An overcast and grey welcome
A very overcast and grey welcome to Molineux for the latest game in Liverpool’s season.
Yes, it’s the Premier League and it’s Wolves.
The Reds were thumped 3-0 here back in February, which was probably their most embarrassing result of the season.
They have lost only twice since then in their last 22 Premier League games – today, then, seems a good time to show their improvement
‘They have a great squad to compete with the best in the league’
Liverpool icon Dirk Kuyt believes the Reds have a great squad to compete back at the top of the Premier League and they will see off Wolves’ challenge.
“I think Liverpool will beat Wolves. I’m a very positive guy. Liverpool are in great form and with the signing of Gravenberch, the group is complete,” he told CasinoSite.nl.
“It’s bad luck for Virgil being suspended, but when he’s back in the team with Gravenberch and all of the other players, they’ll have a great squad to compete with the best in the league.
“Liverpool had a couple of very tough games, like Chelsea away and Aston Villa at home. The Newcastle game was crazy. There are no easy games in the Premier League. I always found it very difficult when, back in the day, we went to our national teams and you had to be completely focused on that, before returning to Liverpool and having to be a good team again.
“I don’t always like how there are national team games, especially considering Liverpool were building some good momentum. But you can see that the players are very close, and hopefully, they’ve prepared well for the Wolves game. It’ll be a tricky one, but hopefully they’ll do their best to get the three points.”
Former Liverpool star, Dirk Kuyt
How to watch Wolves vs Liverpool today
The Reds will travel to Molineux for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off and three points for Klopp’s side would move to the summit of the Premier League table, albeit for a brief amount of time.
Liverpool are currently third in the table with three wins and a draw away to Chelsea so far. Klopp’s men are locked on ten points with West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs but with big and resilient performances coming against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Aston Villa in successive weeks, there is a quiet confidence building amongst fans that’s not been seen for quite a while.
When can you watch Wolves vs Liverpool?
You can watch Wolves take on Liverpool at Molineux with a kick-off set for 12:30pm on Saturday, September 16.
How can you watch it?
You can watch the game live and exclusive on TNT sports. TNT Sports is £29.99 a month and gives you access to discovery+ Premium at no extra cost. You watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media and can sign up here.
Liverpool line-up predictions
Who will be right and who will be wrong?
Well, our Liverpool writers have all gone with the same team.
Paul Gorst (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Matip, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Ian Doyle (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Theo Squires (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Stephen Killen (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
“I’m expecting Liverpool to win”
Jermaine Pennant is confident that Liverpool will continue their winning run away to Wolves, this afternoon.
The ex-Red also raved over new star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, he told OLBG: “Wolves don’t look strong at the moment, though they played very well against Manchester United.
“They did, however, lose. They’ve picked up some bad results in their other games, and I’m expecting Liverpool to win. I’m going for 3-1. Liverpool look like they’re starting to gel and play some really great football. The midfield looks great.
“Szoboszlai has massive potential to be one of the best. His workrate is unbelievable and he can go past players. He also has great passing range. He’s doing everything you want a number 8 to do.
“He’s a little bit Gerrard-esque! If he continues to play like he is now, then he can be one of the league’s best signings for sure. You can see why Jurgen was so keen to bring him in.
“i think the key thing is to get those deals done early and not mess about. Endo has also come in, but he’s only played a few minutes and Liverpool were a man down in both games.
“He looks like a good enforcer and he could be a great addition once he settles.”
One to forget last time out at Molineux
It was an afternoon to forget for Liverpool when they last visited Molineux.
Over the course of the season, it was another chastening defeat as Craig Dawson and Ruben Neves added to the Reds woes after Joel Matip’s own goal inside five minutes.
“It was the final insult for those Liverpool supporters who were brave enough to stick out watching another absolute horror show right until the bitter end.
“As relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers knocked the ball about unchallenged during injury time, the Molineux crowd lapped it up with cheers of “Ole” every time one pass inevitably found its mark.
“For Jurgen Klopp, though, each salute would have felt like a dagger to the heart as his Reds side slumped to another truly appalling result after an at times shockingly bad performance.
“Brighton and Hove Albion two weeks earlier was the self-confessed nadir of Klopp’s reign, but at least the Seagulls are a more than competent side. Wolves, floundering around near the foot of the table, are nowhere near that.
“Earlier in the second half, the home fans had taunted the Reds boss as he stood on the touchline with cheery chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” shortly after Ruben Neves had walked through the invisible Liverpool rearguard to tap in Wolves’ third and end any lingering hopes of a comeback from the visitors.”
Here’s to a better experience this time around, eh.
