Liverpool have managed to keep their Premier League title hopes alive after beating Southampton on Tuesday night and now, in their final game of the season, they will take on Wolves.
They will have to ensure they pick up all three points on Sunday and then beseech that Manchester City lose to Aston Villa because, without this said combination, Liverpool aren’t getting to the top of the table. Realistically speaking, we can’t see Man City losing to Villa but then, the Premier League is famous for its unexpected twists and dramas.
Jurgen Klopp used a second-fiddle side in midweek just to make sure there are no fresh injuries before the Champions League final and he will have to make a pivotal call on Sunday as well. Should he put his full focus on the Madrid game or does he keep the foot on the peddle in the hopes that City fumble?
Either way, this one should be a regulation win for Liverpool because Wolves haven’t won in their previous six outings and since they are eight on the table, Bruno Lage’s side don’t have much to play for in the final game of the season. Wolves are not going to push for a win so Liverpool are likely to have it easy.
Liverpool team news vs Wolves:
Van Dijk was not risked on Tuesday night because he had picked up a small knock in the FA Cup final. The manager had earlier confirmed that the injury is not serious so Van Dijk could come back into the side.
Joe Gomez left the St Mary’s Stadium in a protective boot so his season is over and if Van Dijk is not 100% fit then Konate and Joel Matip will have to pair up in central defence.
Robertson and Trent were both rested in midweek but the two first-choice full-backs will return to the side for the Wolves match.
Fabinho is another one of the injured players who missed the Saints game and like Van Dijk, he too might have to watch from the sidelines.
Reminder: Joel Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer 💪🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/2XYv8d0ABa
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 17, 2022
On Tuesday, the Liverpool manager had the chance to rest Henderson, Keita and even Thiago so all three will be fresh for Sunday’s game. If Fabinho is absent then Henderson will be used as the defensive midfielder.
Mo Salah picked up a muscle injury in the FA Cup final but Klopp had admitted that the forward is expected to make comeback against Wolves.
The Liverpool boss told the press: “The target is they could be involved again at the weekend. It’s very positive. We’re realistic about the Wolves game, but for [Southampton], [we’d] rather not.”
Jurgen Klopp will love to rest his regular starters keeping in mind the Champions League final but he wouldn’t dare take that gamble, just in case, Villa manage to chain up Manchester City.
Liverpool’s predicted line up vs Wolves:
Mo Salah – Muscle Injury – Should be fit for the Wolves game.
Fabinho – Hamstring Injury – Should be fit for the Wolves game.
Virgil Van Dijk – Knee Injury – Should be fit for the Wolves game.
Joe Gomez – Ankle Injury – Ruled out.
Stats:
Liverpool have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season(21).
Wolves, on the other hand, kept a clean sheet in their last eight matches.
Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 34 of their last 42 matches in the league.
