Liverpool vs Wolves Preview
- Liverpool to win
- Over 2.5 goals
Liverpool return to Anfield eager to bounce back from a frustrating week, where they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Plymouth Argyle before conceding a last-minute equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Everton in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Despite those setbacks, Arne Slot’s side still lead the Premier League by seven points, with just 14 games left. Meanwhile, Wolves enter the match in a precarious position, sitting just two points above the relegation zone, but will be hoping to cause an upset.
Liverpool: Looking for a Response
Despite the disappointment of two games without a win, Liverpool remain in a commanding position in the title race. They still boast a seven-point lead over Arsenal, and their home form has been nothing short of dominant.
Liverpool’s Key Strengths
- Unbeaten in 16 home games across all competitions (W14, D2).
- Scored 2+ goals in each of their last 16 home matches.
- Haven’t gone three successive games without a win under Arne Slot.
With 14 games remaining, Liverpool know they cannot afford any further slip-ups, especially against a struggling Wolves side. The Anfield crowd will demand a response, and Liverpool’s free-scoring attack should be enough to get them back to winning ways.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Everton 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League) – D
- Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool (FA Cup) – L
- Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League) – W
- Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich (Premier League) – W
- Liverpool 2-1 Lille (Europa League) – W
Why Liverpool Can Win
- They dominate Wolves historically (15 wins in their last 16 Premier League H2Hs).
- Anfield is a fortress – unbeaten in 16 home matches, scoring at least two goals in each.
- Alisson’s record vs Wolves: Seven clean sheets in 12 H2Hs, conceding just seven goals.
Key Player: Mohamed Salah
Salah has been Liverpool’s main attacking threat for years, and he relishes games at Anfield. Expect him to lead the charge as the Reds look to return to winning ways.
Wolves: Fighting for Survival
Wolves are battling relegation, sitting in 17th place, just two points above the drop zone. However, recent wins over Aston Villa (2-0) and Blackburn (2-0, FA Cup) have provided a slight boost in confidence.
Wolves’ Main Concerns
- Lost four of their last five league games.
- Have never won an away game against a Premier League side that started the day top of the table (L7).
- Struggled against Liverpool historically, losing 15 of their last 16 league meetings.
Wolves will need to replicate the defensive solidity they showed in their 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but stopping Liverpool at Anfield is an entirely different challenge.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Wolves 2-0 Blackburn (FA Cup) – W
- Aston Villa 0-2 Wolves (Premier League) – W
- Wolves 1-3 Manchester United (Premier League) – L
- Chelsea 2-0 Wolves (Premier League) – L
- Wolves 2-3 West Ham (Premier League) – L
Why Wolves Can Win
- Confidence boost from consecutive 2-0 wins (vs Aston Villa & Blackburn).
- Liverpool have shown slight vulnerability in recent games.
- João Gomes’ strong away scoring record (eight of his last nine goals have come away from home).
Key Player: João Gomes
The Brazilian midfielder has a knack for scoring on the road, and if Wolves are to cause an upset, he may need to provide a moment of magic.
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in All Competitions)
- 16/09/24 – Wolves 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
- 01/03/24 – Liverpool 2-0 Wolves (Premier League)
- 17/09/23 – Wolves 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
- 01/03/23 – Liverpool 2-0 Wolves (Premier League)
- 04/02/23 – Wolves 3-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Key Trends
- Liverpool have won 15 of their last 16 Premier League meetings against Wolves.
- The last three Anfield meetings have ended in Liverpool wins ‘to nil’ (2-0, 2-0, 3-0).
- Wolves haven’t won at Anfield since 2010.
Tactical Insights
Liverpool’s Approach
- Attack from the start – They will aim to score early and control the game.
- Exploit Wolves’ defensive gaps – Wolves have struggled against quick, attacking sides.
- Use width effectively – Expect Salah and Luis Díaz to stretch Wolves’ defence.
Wolves’ Strategy
- Sit deep and counter-attack – They must be disciplined defensively and take their chances on the break.
- Try to frustrate Liverpool – Making the first 30 minutes difficult could be key.
- Hope for set-piece opportunities – They may rely on corners and free kicks to create chances.
Prediction and Final Thoughts
Liverpool are overwhelming favourites, but Wolves could provide some resistance if they stay compact and organised. However, Liverpool’s attacking power at Anfield should prove too much for a struggling Wolves side.
Predicted Scoreline: Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
- Liverpool to bounce back with a comfortable win.
- Salah to get back on the scoresheet.
- Anfield remains a fortress as Liverpool continue their march towards the title.
Conclusion
Liverpool will be desperate to respond after a poor week, and a struggling Wolves side looks like the perfect opponent to get back to winning ways.
Wolves will try to frustrate them, but Liverpool’s quality should shine through in the end. Expect a dominant home performance from the league leaders.
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Liverpool v Wolves, 2024/25 | Premier League