Barclays Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool aim to put an end to successive league defeats
After an impressive start to the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League campaign, where the Reds managed to get two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures, the Merseyside club slumped to two back-to-back defeats. Liverpool experienced a disappointing 1-0 loss against Stoke City, which was followed by a humiliating thrashing to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Kenny Dalglish’s men would now be aiming to put an end to their poor run of form in the Premier League, when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.
Although Liverpool hugely impressed in the League Cup win over Brighton and Hove Albion, the Reds will face a much sterner opponent in the Wolves.
Wolverhampton Wanderers aim to end their goal drought
The Molineux-based outfit also had a fantastic start to the ongoing Premier League season as they won their opening two fixtures, against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. However, the Wolves have failed to register a win in their last three Premier League fixtures.
Mick McCarthy’s men, who have failed to score in the last three League matches, did manage to find the net in a dominating 5-0 win over Millwall in the Carling Cup match. They will now be aiming to repeat the last year’s heroics, when they defeated Liverpool by a solitary goal at Anfield.
Team News
Liverpool:
Influential captain Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited return against Brighton and Hove Albion in the recent midweek fixture. The Englishman was given a 20-minute cameo and it is very likely that Dalglish will again name the Liverpool captain on the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Moreover, Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel will also return to the starting eleven after completing their respective one-match suspensions.
Skrtel is likely to replace Daniel Agger in the heart of Liverpool’s defence as the Danish centre-half has been ruled out due to a broken rib. Moreover, Martin Kelly is expected to start on the right side of the defence ahead of veteran Glen Johnson, who is suffering from a hamstring problem.
Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Mick McCarthy’s men will welcome the return of their influential skipper Roger Johnson and in-form attacker Steven Fletcher.
The Wolves skipper did not feature in the club’s dominating Carling Cup win over Millwall as he was nursing his calf injury. Moreover, Fletcher has recovered from a groin injury and has been declared fit to play against Liverpool.
However, Kevin Foley, Ronald Zuba, Jody Craddock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will not make the trip to Merseyside.
Probable Line-up
Liverpool:
Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Jose Enrique; Charlie Adam, Lucas, Dirk Kuyt, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing; Luis Suarez
Substitutes: Alexander Doni, Andy Carroll, Flanagan, Coates, Robinson, Maxi Rodriguez, Jay Spearing, Steven Gerrard, Carroll and Craig Bellamy.
Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Wayne Hennessey, Richard Stearman, Roger Johnson, Christophe Berra, George Elokobi; Michael Kightly, Karl Henry, Jamie O'Hara, Matt Jarvis, Stephen Ward; Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher
Substitutes: Dorus De Vries, Adlene Guedioura, Stephen Hunt, Adam Hammill, Nenad Milijas, Sam Vokes and David Edwards.
Prediction:
It could be a tightly contested game considering Liverpool’s current form and the poor performance of their leaky defence, which has conceded nine goals in seven matches.
However, the Reds are still favourites to keep their unbeaten record at Anfield intact and will be able to get all three points against Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The score at the final whistle would be 2-1in favour of Liverpool.
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