Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
With Liverpool sitting thirteen points clear at the top of the tabler, having played two games fewer than closest challengers Manchester City, it’s fairly safe to say they’re at the brink of securing their first title in 30 years. Now, they’ve got another target on the horizon – staying unbeaten for sixteen more games will give them an “invincible” season, making them only the second side to achieve that in the Premier League era.
The first of those sixteen comes tonight in the West Midlands, with Wolves – themselves aiming for a top-four spot that’s still well within reach – the opposition. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have displayed incredible consistency throughout what has been a long season already. If anyone is to defeat the Reds across this season, it would not be a huge surprise were it to be Wolves.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Liverpool
Wolves have performed exceptionally well this season, balancing a packed fixture list to be in with a chance of success domestically and in Europe. They certainly are one of very few teams in the Premier League who could realistically hold off this Liverpool side. The key word there is “could” and, as the weekend’s nervy win over Southampton showed, there are signs that the long season is beginning to show in the legs of Wolves’ players. They happen to be up against the best side in England at exposing weaknesses – and this should play into Liverpool’s hands.
Our recommended tip: Assist for TAA
Perhaps Jurgen Klopp’s greatest achievement since arriving at Anfield is how he has improved every single unit of the Liverpool team; contributions come from everywhere. Witness, for example, the quality the Reds now get from the full-back positions. Andrew Robertson on the left has become indispensable, and the same is true of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool native has been earmarked by pundits for a move further forward to better affect the attacking play of his team, but why do that when he’s so effective where he is? At 2/1 to make an assist this evening, he’s worth backing.
Previous matches
Few teams have made Liverpool work quite as hard for a win as Nuno’s side did at the turn of the year, with Wolves having a goal written off by a marginal VAR decision. Liverpool’s winning goal, scored by Sadio Mane, was also reviewed before being allowed, and it wasn’t just borderline goal decisions that meant home fans were relieved to hear the final whistle. A bright counter-attacking approach by the visiting side meant that, even at 1-0 down, they were very much in the contest, and they’ll hope to bring that same enterprise this evening.
Top 3 Premier League Bookies
Players to watch: Adama Traore & Fabinho
If there has been one major difference between the Wolves side of last season and the more impressive one to take the field this time around, it’s the performance level of Traore. Long seen as a player with pace and dribbling ability – but not much else – the Barcelona-born winger has flourished this season, adding plenty of end product and a hitherto unseen consistency that has made the difference in wins against Manchester City among others.
Fabinho was just hitting his top level in a Liverpool shirt when he suffered an ankle injury towards the end of November. The Brazilian midfielder saw action on Sunday from the bench against Manchester United, and his return to the first team could be just what Liverpool need as they seek to reel in the title. His composure at the base of midfield turns the team from a pressing, counter-attacking threat to one that can dominate games consistently, and he’s worth getting back in the side quickly.
