WOLVES VS LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool make the trip to Molineux tomorrow to take on Bruno Lage’s Wolves outfit. The Reds are coming off the back of a resounding 4-1 win at Goodison Park, whilst Wolves were held to a goalless draw at home to Burnley last time out. We take a look at how Jürgen Klopp could line his team up for the encounter.

You can find a preview of the game here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2021/12/03/wolves-vs-liverpool-preview/

The games are coming thick and fast now with the festive period upon us. This is the fifth game in the last two weeks since the international break ended. With Jürgen Klopp saying in his press conference there won’t be “seven, eight changes”, it is likely to be as strong a team as possible.

The Milan game in midweek is more likely to see rotation, as the manager will be keen to give his regular starters a breather. For tomorrow however, the changes will be kept to a minimum. Expect the same back five we saw against Everton. That’s Alisson Becker in goal, with Trent and Robbo at full back.

Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk will continue in the heart of defence. Joe Gomez has returned to training after a calf injury but this game comes too soon for him. Ibrahima Konaté is an option but he is more likely to partner the returning Gomez in the Milan game.

Kostas Tsimikas is an option to come in at left back if the manager doesn’t want Robertson to play a third game in a week, but again, that Milan game makes more sense, especially as Robbo looks back to his best and remains full of energy. Wolves will also be playing their third game in a week and should feel the effects more.

After all, Liverpool are more used to having to play thrice a week, with their European commitments. In midfield, the Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago axis impressed versus Southampton and in the Merseyside derby. They could get another go here but with the workload they get through, we could see a change or two.

James Milner has had cameos off the bench in each of the last three games and could get a start here, whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in good form over the past month and could also get a start after missing out on the XI in the last two games. Henderson and Thiago could be the ones to make way.

The skipper was in excellent form on Wednesday night but could see his minutes managed as he recently got over a knock picked up on international duty. Thiago meanwhile, has started each of the last four in all competitions and is enjoying the rhythm that regular game time brings, having recovered from injury himself.

Whether the manager gives one or both of them a breather remains to be seen, but it makes a refreshing change having options available. Naby Keita has also resumed training after his hamstring injury, but like Gomez, this game comes too soon for him, with a return slated for the San Siro.

Upfront, Mané and Salah could start their 5th game in 14 days. For any other players it could be a worry, but these two are phenomenal athletes. They take care of their bodies and can play everyday if required. They are likely to go again tomorrow, alongside Diogo Jota. Minamino and Origi provide cover on the bench.

Should the manager feel a lack of intensity from his starters, there will be a host of options for him on the bench. Hopefully the Reds will have the game sewn up by then, so any changes second half won’t have adverse effects on the result.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Williams, Konaté, Tsimikas, Milner, Thiago, Morton, Minamino, Origi.