3 minute read
Cody Gakpo was Liverpool’s sole arrival in the January transfer window as Jurgen Klopp opted not to delve into the market late on to bolster a rearguard that will be missing both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at Molineux.
Konate picked up a hamstring strain in the defeat at Brighton, but Klopp decided to keep his powder dry rather than make another panic move in the market like he has done in recent seasons.
Whether that move pays off will be determined to some degree against Wolves on Saturday.
The Reds will face Wolves for the third time in less than a month. A draw in the FA Cup was followed by a 1-0 win in the Black Country in the replay.
But both games were tight affairs with neither team asserting their authority.
Saturday’s meeting could be slightly different in that Klopp will have to pair Joe Gomez and Joel Matip together at the back.
Nat Phillips is the only other fit centre-back and he is likely to be on the bench as Gomez and Matip partner each other for just the third time in their Liverpool careers.
It’s that unfamiliarity which makes the Reds hard to back at a shade odds on against Julen Lopetegui’s side.
Klopp’s men have only won twice on the road in the league, but xG says they should have a far better record.
Only Man City have a better xG total than Liverpool’s 1.96, but they only have wins at Villa and Spurs to show for it.
The stats suggest that Liverpool will come good on their travels, but it’s not sensible to back them at such a short price.
Wolves, who have won three times at home, rolled West Ham over in their last home game. But they have struggled for goals at Molineux and six from 10 games is not the basis of a bet against the Reds.
Lopetegui’s men have a home xG score of 1.35, so they are well behind where they should be in terms of goals. But recent displays have not threatened to reward Wolves with the goals their general play deserves.
Lopetegui still has plenty of work to do and it’s the deficiencies of both sides that looks like pointing to a draw.
Key stats
Liverpool have lost four of their last nine games in all competitions
Wolves have lost nine of their last 14 games in all competitions
Wolves have won just once from their last 10 home games with Liverpool
Wolves have scored in five of their 10 home PL matches
Liverpool have scored in six of their nine away PL matches
Suggested bets
Wolves vs Liverpool draw
