Verdict: Hugo Ekitike over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Hoping to find a route into the Champions League spots on Saturday afternoon, Liverpool will welcome Wolves to Anfield.
Liverpool
Starting with the hosts, while Liverpool might have found themselves at the heart of a record-breaking rut on either side of November’s international break, Arne Slot’s defending champions have certainly turned a recent corner. Last seen securing a 2-1 victory away at Tottenham, the former Feyenoord boss has eased plenty of the pressure on his shoulders and the Reds have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-1. Collecting a heavyweight Champions League scalp earlier in the month as they clinched a 1-0 win against Inter Milan, Liverpool are enjoying their most fruitful spell since the end of September. Opening Saturday’s showdown at Anfield with just their goal difference keeping them outside the Champions League spots, Slot’s resurgent squad will undoubtably be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend.
Liverpool Team News
Confirming earlier in the week that big-money summer recruit Alexander Isak suffered a leg fracture against Tottenham last week, the former Newcastle striker is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Likewise, away with Egypt at this month’s AFCON, Mohamed Salah will miss out here.
Once again finding the net in north London last week and notching eight Premier League goals so far this season, Hugo Ekitike will lead the line this weekend. Despite still waiting to open his account at Anfield, German superstar Florian Wirtz should keep his spot from the start and will join Ekitike in the final third.
Wolves
As for the visitors, while Rob Edwards might have only arrived at Molineux last month, the former Middlesbrough boss is more than aware that he is searching for what would be an iconic Premier League miracle. Sat rock-bottom of the table and already with one-foot firmly in the Championship, the Old Gold have shattered a string of unwanted records this season. Last seen getting hit with a 2-0 loss at home against Brentford, Saturday’s guests have remarkably registered just two points from any of their 17 Premier League appearances this year. Travelling to Anfield this weekend already sat 16 points adrift of safety, Wolves are bracing themselves for what is another monumental challenge here. Falling to a 2-1 loss when they last travelled to Anfield back in February, they have lost all of their previous five consecutive meetings against Liverpool by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Wolves Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Wolves will once again be without the likes of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi and Portuguese youngster Rodrigo Gomes. Likewise, set to feature for the Ivory Coast at this month’s AFCON, former Reims defender Emmanuel Agbadou will not feature here.
Missing from the penalty spot against Brentford last weekend and coming under plenty of recent scrutiny around Molineux, Jorgen Strand Larsen could be taken out of the spotlight. Dethroning Sam Johnstone last week, Portuguese shot-stopper Jose Sa should keep his spot between the sticks on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool vs Wolves Key Factors to Consider
- When Liverpool last welcomed Wolves to Anfield back in February, Saturday’s hosts collected a 2-1 victory.
- The reigning Premier League champions have won their previous five consecutive meetings against Wolves by an aggregate score of 11-3.
- Liverpool have won three consecutive appearances for the first time since the end of September.
- Wolves have remarkably collected just two points from any of their 17 Premier League appearances so far this season.
- Summer recruit Hugo Ekitike has registered five goals in his previous three Premier League appearances.
Conclusion
Winning each of their previous three appearances across all competitions and enjoying their most fruitful spell since the end of September, Liverpool will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Looking to lay down a festive marker at Anfield, Slot’s defending champions will meet a Wolves squad who already have one foot firmly in the Championship. With Saturday’s guests remarkably still waiting to claim a maiden top-flight victory, it is no surprise why Liverpool are installed as such a landslide favourite here. Along with landing a 2-1 win when they last met Saturday’s guests back in February, they have won all of their previous five straight battles by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Verdict: Hugo Ekitike over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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