The end of the international break means a return to Premier League action. Wolves will welcome Liverpool to Molineux Stadium on Saturday for the fifth round of Premier League fixtures, with kickoff slated for 11:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
Life Without Matheus Nunes and Jule Lopetegui
Wolves’ season has been disrupted by a pair of departures that are likely to have considerable influence on their start and subsequent form in the league as they look to fight for a midtable finish this season.
The departure of last season’s calming presence in the dugout, manager Jule Lopetegui, shocked the midlands club before the season even started.
Manchester City’s pursuit of one of Wolves’ gems, Matheus Nunes, was always going to be successful given the treble winners’ pulling power to players.
Wolves have been left to go back to the drawing board after they managed to win once in their opening four rounds of fixtures in the Premier League before the international break.
Saturday’s early kickoff clash against Liverpool will present Wolves with the perfect chance to make a statement and pull off a shock result of the weekend by beating the in-form Reds.
Liverpool’s Early Signs of a Title Challenge
The transfer window struggles for Liverpool have given way to an inspiring start to the season. After that early 1-1 draw away to Chelsea on opening day, the Reds have steadied the ship and won all the subsequent three consecutive matches.
The three wins include two matches where Liverpool had to come back from behind to win with ten men. The most impressive was the win away at Newcastle.
Having had Virgil Van Dijk sent off after Gordon had given the hosts the lead, Klopp’s charges steadied their performance, controlled Newcastle, and hit late in the second half to stunningly win the match.
Bet hereJurgen Klopp will hope that his charges will retain their intensity, level of performance, and appetite after the international break as they travel to Molineux for Saturday’s early kickoff against Wolves.
Injury Report
Wolves
Gary O’Neal will be without defensive midfielder Joe Hodge in the clash against Liverpool on Saturday.
The midfielder is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered on August 31st. Hodge is expected to be back fit toward the end of September.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will need late tests for Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ibrahima Konate as they all prepare to make comebacks into the Liverpool squads ahead of the resumption of the Premier League after the international break.
Captain Virgin van Dijk will still be serving his added suspension after he was sent off at Newcastle and behaved unprofessionally against the officials.
Possible Lineups
Wolves
J. Sa; R. Ait-Nouri, M. Kilman, C. Dawson, N. Semedo; P. Neto, M. Lemina, J. Gomes, P. Sarabia; F. Silva, M. Cinha
Liverpool
Alisson; T. Alexander-Arnold, J. Matip, J. Gomez, A. Robertson; D. Szoboszlai, A. Mac Allister, C. Jones; M. Salah, D. Nunez, L. Diaz
Prediction
Wolves will need to be at their best to stop a confident and in-form Liverpool side. Gary O’Neal will need his charges to be disciplined, aggressive, and pragmatic in their approach to get something from the match.
Liverpool will look to recapture the energy and rhythm they had before the international break. Jurgen Klopp will hope that the break will maintain their flow as they look to pick up the form and throw down the gauntlet against Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race this season.
Liverpool will win away from home and make it four consecutive wins in the league.
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