Prediction: Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: 888sport

Liverpool continue their push for Premier League glory as they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a frustrating midweek draw against Everton, which saw them drop two points in dramatic fashion, the Reds still managed to extend their lead at the top of the table. Prior to that, Vitor Pereira’s side cruised past Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.

Liverpool

It really was a heartbreaking ending of the Merseyside Derby on Thursday for Liverpool, who had overturned Everton’s early lead through Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah, only to concede an extremely controversial equalizer well past the allotted second-half stoppage time, courtesy of a strong close-range finish from James Tarkowski.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was sent off after the final whistle for using abusive language towards referee Michael Oliver, as was his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. Midfielder Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure got into a very aggressive scramble and both received second yellow cards as well. Slot and Hulshoff have been charged by the FA, as well as both clubs, and the severity of their respective punishments is yet to be determined.

Slot should, therefore, be able to lead his team against Wolves from the touchline, as they strive to continue their impressive Premier League campaign. At the moment, the Reds sit seven points ahead of second-place Arsenal in the title race, having lost just once in the league this season so far – a shocking home defeat to Nottingham Forest back in September.

Team News

If he’s allowed to take his place in the Anfield dugout, Slot won’t be able to count on defender Joe Gomez, and possibly forward Cody Gakpo who suffered a knock in the Derby and is considered a doubt at the moment.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, having come on from the bench in the second half against Everton after recovering from a minor problem, should be ready to start this time.

Liverpool’s main attacking threat is, of course, Mohamed Salah, who tops the Premier League charts in both goals (22) and assists (14). With Gakpo unlikely to start even if he does make the squad, the Egyptian should be joined by Luis Diaz in attack, while the third spot will be up for grabs between Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez.

As for the rest of the lineup, Slot could opt for some degree of rotation, with matches coming every three or four days at this stage.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Having sat at the bottom of the league for a while, Wolves have managed to move out of the relegation zone after booking consecutive victories over Leicester City and Manchester United at the end of December, followed by a hard-fought draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Nonetheless, their place in the English top flight is very far from safe.

At the moment, Pereira’s team sit just above the red line, in 17th place with a total of 19 points, just two more than Leicester City and three more than Ipswich Town below. The only team to have apparently lost all hope of survival is Southampton, rock-bottom, with just nine points from 24 matches played.

Last week, Wolves booked a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a victory over Championship side Blackburn Rovers, courtesy of quick-fire first-half goals from Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha. They will, however, be aware that a trip to Anfield to play against the Premier League leaders with dented pride is a very different prospect.

Team News

Wolves’ FA Cup victory over Blackburn came at a cost, as Hwang Hee-chan was forced off at halftime with a hamstring injury. The South Korean forward is now expected to miss the next two to three games.

Jorgen Strand Larsen remains a doubt due to a muscular issue, making his availability uncertain. Cunha is likely to lead the line, with support from Goncalo Guedes and Pablo Sarabia.

Boubacar Traore’s return from illness is in doubt, while long-term absentees Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, and Leon Chiwome continue their recovery from knee injuries.

Conclusion

Liverpool will surely seek to put the Derby disappointment out of their minds as quickly as possible and not allow Arsenal to come any closer for the time being, though the injury-ridden Gunners will have a chance to do so temporarily by beating Leicester City on Saturday.

Be that as it may, a strong Liverpool performance is expected against Wolves, and the visitors aren’t likely to be able to do much at Anfield with their attacking ranks lacking several names through injury.

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: 888sport