Liverpool Clash with Wolves: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Liverpool are looking to secure their third consecutive Premier League win when they welcome bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds secured their first consecutive league victories since September by defeating Brighton & Hove Albion followed by Tottenham Hotspur, results that have lifted them to fifth place in the table. Back-to-back wins have boosted confidence, but Arne Slot's team still fall short of the dynamic side that claimed the title last season.

Liverpool's defensive frailties remain their Achilles' heel as they allow opportunities at a concerning frequency, though they'll be pleased to face the league's most toothless attack at Anfield this weekend.

Wolves equaled the Premier League record for the longest winless start to a season in their loss to Brentford. The Old Gold have collected just two points this campaign—matching the number of managers they've employed. Rob Edwards has failed to halt the decline as an 11-match losing sequence virtually ensures relegation by season's end.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the encounter at Anfield.

What Time Does Liverpool vs. Wolves Kick Off?

Liverpool vs. Wolves Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Liverpool vs. Wolves on TV, Live Stream

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool suffered a significant setback last weekend when record acquisition Alexander Isak fractured his leg while netting the opener in north London. Following surgery, he faces several months on the sidelines at minimum—though Slot remains optimistic about his return this season.

Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable for Liverpool, while Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley are deemed "50-50" for the Wolves fixture. The latter sustained an injury against Tottenham.

Mohamed Salah is currently on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, having netted a crucial late winner against Zimbabwe last Monday, and is therefore unavailable for the Reds. Dominik Szoboszlai is another key absence, serving a suspension after collecting five Premier League bookings.

On a positive note, Florian Wirtz is fit following an injury concern.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Wolves (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Chiesa, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitiké.

Wolves Team News

Toti Gomes has joined Edwards's extensive injury list and has been sidelined for "weeks" with a hamstring problem. Emmanuel Agbadou is also missing defensively as he represents Ivory Coast at AFCON, while Hugo Bueno's participation at Anfield remains doubtful.

Daniel Bentley is absent between the posts, while Rodrigo Gomes, Marshall Munetsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Leon Chiwome and Tawanda Chirewa are all ruled out for Saturday's match—the latter competing at AFCON with Zimbabwe.

Yerson Mosquera returns after completing his one-game ban, while Ki-Jana Hoever may feature against his previous club.

Wolves Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

Wolves predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-5-2): Sá; Doherty, S. Bueno, Mosquera; Hoever, J. Gomes, André, Krejčí, Møller Wolfe; Strand Larsen, Hwang.

Liverpool vs. Wolves Score Prediction

Liverpool are dealing with fitness concerns in crucial positions but should comfortably overcome winless Wolves. They possess considerable quality throughout their roster despite missing Isak, Salah and Szoboszlai, with Hugo Ekitiké showing exceptional form in attack.

Expecting a Liverpool clean sheet remains risky this season but Wolves have been woeful offensively. They've managed just nine goals in 17 fixtures, eight fewer than the next-lowest scorers, and also possess the division's worst defensive record.

This should represent a welcome straightforward victory for the Reds.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–0 Wolves