Kick-off: 2000, 01/03/2023
Stadium: Anfield
Liverpool can’t afford too many more slip-ups if they want to secure a top-four finish and are backed to see off Wolves at Anfield.
The Reds have the added incentive of seeking revenge for a recent 3-0 drubbing at Molineux and should be fired up from the outset here.
We’re taking 23/20 for Jurgen Klopp’s side to lead at half-time and full-time for our first Liverpool vs Wolves predictions.
Reds retain positive mindset
Since that worrying trip to Wolves, Liverpool have steadied the ship in terms of Premier League results.
The Reds responded with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Everton and Newcastle and put in a solid performance in Saturday’s goalless stalemate at Selhurst Park.
Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah both hit the woodwork in London, although Jean-Philippe Mateta rattled the crossbar for Palace.
Of course, there was a 5-2 mauling by Real Madrid during that decent domestic run, but James Milner insisted the signs are promising.
He said: “It’s important when we’re not getting results that we shake ourselves off, don’t get too down and disappointed about it. There have been some good performances in there recently.
“There was a great 40 minutes or first half against Madrid, a couple of sloppy goals but other than that it was a good 45 minutes.
“You come away second half and all the good things are forgotten about. It’s important that we remember there have been some good signs over the last few weeks.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold was again guilty of some slack defending against the Eagles but did come close to scoring at the other end.
His sweetly-struck free-kick seemed destined for the top-right corner, but instead took a deflection off the unfortunate Jordan Henderson.
The attack-minded wing-back hasn’t hit the back of the net since early October but deserves a change of luck.
Looking at the Liverpool vs Wolves odds, we like 22/1 for him to strike first and 15/2 to score at any time.
Last Liverpool line-up: Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Salah, Gakpo, Jota.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez looks set to return to the side after a shoulder injury. Centre-back Ibrahima Konate trained on Monday after a month out with a hamstring injury and will return to the squad.
Wolves to be game, but outgunned
Wolves have generally been much more reliable since Julen Lopetegui took charge, although a recent home loss to Bournemouth was a frustrating blip.
Friday night’s 1-1 draw at Fulham was more in keeping with their revival, which has seen Wanderers pull three points clear of the drop zone.
Pablo Sarabi gave them a half-time lead at Craven Cottage but Manor Solomon levelled things up on 64 minutes, to give us an 11/2 correct score pay-out in our match preview.
“We came here looking for the three points and I think in the end we have one point more,” commented Lopetegui.
“We had to be positive, it’s not an easy place to come, it’s a tough match here against a good team.”
Wolves obviously warrant respect on that home win over Liverpool, as well as two close FA Cup encounters, with the Reds shading a Molineux replay 1-0 following a 2-2 draw here.
Wanderers do usually tend to come up just short against the better teams in this division, though, so the Reds simply need to prove they still belong in that bracket.
We think 10/3 for a home win by exactly two goals is worth support in our Liverpool vs Wolves betting tips.
Last Wolves line-up: Jose Sa, Dawson, Semedo, Kilman, Bueno, Lemina, Neves, Sarabia, Nunes, Jimenez, Cunha.
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is a major doubt due to an ankle injury. Pedro Neto could return to the squad after his own ankle issue, but midfielder Boubacar Traore (groin) has suffered a setback in his recovery and Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring) remains sidelined.
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