Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Liverpool to Molineux to set up a fixture between two very contrasting sides. Bottom of the Premier League table on goal difference, the hosts are one of six teams without a win so far this season. The latest performances have varied for Gary O’Neil’s side, with a 6-2 home thrashing to Chelsea followed by two close defeats from behind to both Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Liverpool travel down to the West Midlands second in the table, and have recovered quickly from their shock 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest. Arne Slot’s side have won their last three games, and scored 11 goals in the process – most recently making light work of West Ham with a 5-1 win in the Carabao Cup third round. This came after a 3-0 home win against Bournemouth. If Manchester City falter against Newcastle in the day’s early kick-off, Liverpool could go top of the table with a win against the Old Gold.
Here’s who’s in and who’s out for the 17:30 kick off on Saturday evening, with all the latest team news, injuries, suspensions and predicted starting XIs.
Wolves Team News
Mosquera the latest victim of a knee injury
Wolves’ dramatic collapse against Villa last time out was undoubtedly affected by the serious knee injury sustained to Colombian Yerson Mosquera. He is now confirmed to have suffered a significant knee issue, which could render him unavailable for the rest of the season.
After his collision with Morgan Rogers, Mosquera is a new addition to the five knee victims on the Wolves sidelines. He joins Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Bastien Meupiyou and Boubacar Traore in the treatment room.
While this is a major setback for the Molineux residents, O’Neil could have Toti back from his thigh injury in time to deputise for Mosquera in defence. If not, Uruguayan Santiago Bueno will likely partner Craig Dawson in the heart of the back line.
|
Wolves Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Toti Gomes |
Illness |
28/09/2024 |
|
Boubacar Traore |
Meniscus Injury |
Unknown |
|
Sasa Kalajdzic |
Cruciate ligament tear |
Unknown |
|
Bastien Meupiyou |
Meniscus damage |
Unknown |
|
Yerson Mosquera |
Damage to medial collateral ligament and the anterior cruciate ligament |
Unknown |
|
Enso Gonzalez |
Cruciate ligament tear |
Unknown |
O’Neil gives update on Mosquera
In his post-Villa thoughts, O’Neil said he was gutted for Mosquera and gave an update on Toti Gomes who has been suffering with illness.
“He’s OK. He’s a great kid and I’m devastated for him. It’s a big loss to us. It’s a big blow to the team but it brings an opportunity to others. Alfie Pond is now a step closer, for example. He has a chance.”
“We’ll test him [Toti] again in the morning. He’s trained but he’s not fully fit. He’s getting closer. In an ideal world we’ll probably leave him longer, but we’ll see.
“[Dan] Bentley is fine now, but there’s quite a bit of illness with players that will need a check. There’s a virus going around and some players missed training.”
Wolves Predicted XI
Bueno to come in for Mosquera
- Wolves’ predicted XI: Johnstone; Semedo, S. Bueno, Dawson, Ait-Nouri; Bellegarde, Gomes, Lemina, Andre, Cunha; Larsen.
- Wolves Substitutes Bench: Sa (GK), Doherty (DEF), Forbs (FWD), Guedes (FWD), Toti (DEF), Gomes (MID), Doyle (MID).
Wolves are expected to make just the sole, forced change from the squad that lost 3-1 away to Aston Villa last time out in the league. Bueno should cover Mosquera’s absence in the centre with Dawson, while further alterations may arrive from the bench, as Toti Gomes steadily returns to action.
Sam Johnstone should be expected to carry on between the sticks despite an inability to keep a clean sheet in his first three appearances this term. The back line should consist of Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri flanking, as said, Beuno and Dawson. In the bank of four in the midfield, Bellegarde, Gomes, Andre and Cunha shoiuld continue, with Lemina playing just behind Jorgen Strand Larsen up top.
The main threat from Wolves will no doubt be Matheus Cunha. He has been involved in more Premier League goals for Wolves than any other player (14 goals, seven assists). Eight of his last 13 goals for the club have either put them ahead (two) or drawn them level (six) in the match.
Liverpool Team News
Reds boosted by Alisson return
After missing two weeks due to his muscular injury, Arne Slot had positive news ahead of the Wolves game regarding Alisson. The first choice Brazilian stopper has seemingly recovered and is available for this clash with Wolves. His expected involvement after a successful week of training denies Caoimhin Kelleher back-to-back top-flight starts.
The only other injury victim for the Reds is Harvey Elliott, who remains sidelined with his foot fracture he sustained in England U21 training.
The visiting head coach could swap out as many as nine players from the EFL Cup trouncing of West Ham, although two-goal Jota only lasted just under an hour in midweek while Nunez played the full 90, suggesting that the Portuguese could lead the line this week.
|
Liverpool Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Harvey Elliott |
Foot fracture |
Unknown |
Arne Slot’s update on Alisson’s return
The Dutchman was in a positive mood following the news of his Brazilian no.1’s return and praised his deputy Caoimhin Kelleher.
“We think he [Alisson] is [back]. He trained yesterday as part of our session with the group, and we expect him to be with us as well today, so he should be available.
“We’re really happy, but I want to emphasise we did really well with the two games with [Kelleher]. Another example of where we have two or three good options in some positions.”
Liverpool’s Predicted XI
Alisson returns as Jota leads the line
- Liverpool’s predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
- Liverpool Substitutes Bench: Kelleher (GK), Tsimikas (DEF), Quansah (DEF), Gomez (DEF), Bradley (DEF), Jones (MID), Endo (MID), Chiesa (FWD), Gakpo (FWD), Nunez (FWD).
Although Federico Chiesa had an eye-catching debut against West Ham, the form of Luis Diaz among the options in the front three is simply too good to replace. He has been involved in six goals in his last four Premier League appearances, scoring five and assisting one. In fact, he’s scored a brace in two of his last three for the Reds, having netted multiple goals in just one of his first 69 Premier League games.
Jota looks to come in for his fifth Premier League start this term, after midweek heroics saw him notch a consummate brace. He’ll presumably slot in for Darwin Nunez, only playing 59 minutes against West Ham to preserve energy. Aside from the additions of Jota and the freshly fit Alisson, it seems Slot will field a squad identical to the one that beat Bournemouth 3-0 at Anfield last weekend.
About Author
