Wolves vs Liverpool - Premier League LIVE: Latest score and updates
Jurgen Klopp’s side are desperate to close the gap on the top four in the hunt to qualify for next season’s Champions League
Wolves host Liverpool in tonight’s Premier League action at Molineux with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking to rebound after suffering defeat to Fulham last time out to dent their hopes of a top four finish.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side battled to a goalless draw against Aston Villa last time out and will hope to provide a better version of themselves against the Reds after being heavily beaten 4-0 by the Reds just before new year in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
While Klopp has been discussing how the Reds can qualify for next season’s Champions League, hoping they do not need to win this year’s competition and can instead reclaim their place inside the top four: “It would be a dream eh? Why not? But we are not in a situation sitting here and telling the fairytale of how it could end. What we think, what we wish, what we dream of is completely different but being ready for Wolves is the only thing we’re busy with.
“Using the positives from the last game would be helpful. Yes, it’s the last eight but the last eight is historically tricky. I am not 100 per cent clear who are the other seven or the few who look likely will be in but there are no easy games. In these games can we give them a proper game? Yes, definitely that’s the plan but not today, in three or four weeks. But we try to use it as good as possible.”
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Klopp on Fabinho vs Wijnaldum as No 6
“I’d like to start by saying Gini Wijnaldum did an incredible job,” added Klopp.
“When you play Gini (Wijnaldum) at six you miss him on the eight as well, so a lot of things which were settled before were unsettled after that (move of Fabinho into defence).
“Yes, Fabinho helps everyone on the pitch in both directions if he can play his natural position.
“Yes, it makes life easier for Thiago (Alcantara) as well but it’s not like we speak about it (saying) ‘One player back, now all the things will click again’.
“Unfortunately it is not like this but it helped that night because, for example, all three midfielders made a really good game.
“Fabinho played the first time for a long time at six and you could see the difference he can make in defending stuff but connecting as well, you saw Gini Wijnaldum on eight defending and always involved with his mind and Thiago as well, and that’s why it worked.
“When Fabinho can play the six it is obviously the best position for him and for us as well.”
Wolves vs Liverpool: Predicted Line-Ups
WOL - Patricio; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Willian Jose, Neto
LIV - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Jota, Mane
Wolves vs Liverpool: Prediction
The Reds to rediscover their winning form domestically and kick-start their push up the table. Wolves 1-2 Liverpool.
Wolves vs Liverpool: Odds
Wolves - 9/2
Draw - 29/10
Liverpool - 13/17
Wolves vs Liverpool: Team News
Wolves are hoping Daniel Podence could return to the squad after injury, but Marcal is still out and Raul Jimenez is a long-term absentee. Wolves have returned to a back three recently but could switch shape given Liverpool’s recent wins over Leipzig and Sheffield United both came against that system.
Liverpool are without centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the season. Jordan Henderson is also out, while sub keeper Caoimhin Kelleher is almost ready to return after an abdominal injury.
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