• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

How could Liverpool face Wolves with five players missing

How could Liverpool face Wolves with five players missing

Liverpool return to Premier League action in a week against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp.
Liverpool return to Premier League action in seven days when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The match sees the Reds kick off their domestic campaign after English Premier League and Second Division football was postponed due to the international break. After returning to the league campaign, Jürgen Klopp is once again without Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman, who played in the Netherlands’ dominant win over Greece, was accused of inappropriate conduct after being sent off against Newcastle United. Van Dijk initially had to miss one of the games that led to a comfortable win against Aston Villa, but was later banned for the second game and fined £100,000.
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez occupied the back line in the absence of the Liverpool captain and both put in good performances to keep Villa’s attacking threat at bay. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also a doubt after scans revealed minor hamstring injuries after being ruled out before the international break.
His fitness is expected to be a concern for the trip to Molineux, with Ibrahima Konate also set to miss the international break against France – having missed the last two matches with a muscle injury.
This presents a potential defensive problem for the Liverpool boss, who could be without three of his four defenders who started in the opening two games against Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth for the match against Wolves. Jarell Quansah made two substitute appearances for the Reds and could be in line for his first senior start against Gary O’Neil’s side, despite Gomez producing one of his best defensive displays in recent memory against Unai Emery. Injuries to Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley have left options at right-back depleted and Calvin Ramsay has also suffered a setback during his loan spell at Preston North End.
There is a chance Wataru Endo will make his second start after returning to the bench last weekend. The Japanese skipper has previously played as a central defender and could be used alongside Matip in the center of defence.
Ryan Gravenberch turned down the chance to reunite with his Netherlands U21 team-mates this month to focus on club football after leaving Bayern Munich on deadline day. He can also provide midfield options, but it remains to be seen if he can usurp new arrivals Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Both Mac Allister and Szoboszlai have enjoyed positive starts in the Premier League and are early bets for a starting place in Klopp’s side. Curtis Jones returned to the series after injury and put in an impressive performance last time out. The original Mohamed Salah played down the Saudi rumors that they beat Aston Villa last Sunday and with his window closing on Thursday, the Egyptian is now firmly focused on the Reds. With his performances and the form of Luis Diaz going forward, the only question mark is who will operate in the middle. Cody Gakpo has struggled to find form in his opening four Premier League games but will be boosted by a goal in the win over Greece in Eindhoven. Diogo Jota is also in contention for a place in the starting XI and had to come off the bench against Villa as Darwin Nunez started the match after his match-winning brace at St James’ Park. It is likely that Liverpool will dominate possession against Wolves, with O’Neil’s side sitting deep with the intention of facing the Reds. Those types of opponents can frustrate Nunez, and as a result, Gakpo’s experience as a middle of the three forward – backed up by his goals – could be a smart choice.
Realistic Liverpool vs Wolves starting line-up: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

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