Liverpool Vs Wolves Preview

If there’s one thing Jürgen has done well, it’s beat Wolves at Anfield in the Premier League.

I make it five straight wins since we returned to the top flight, so what better way to finish than seeing off the whipping boys one final time?

Unless…

Can our lads drag themselves off the canvas and somehow rediscover some of that early season form and togetherness to spoil the party?

Based on what I saw against City and Palace, unlikely. Too much back five tiki-taka and not nearly enough authority in either penalty area.

Still, stranger things have happened and I have to be honest, using the words of one former Liverpool legend, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.

Liverpool

I liked the Jürgen Klopp that entered Anfield however many years ago – the bespectacled rock n roll football guy – but I’m less keen on the one that’s leaving on Sunday.

Perhaps the job just gets to you and maybe that’s the reason he’s getting out, before he’s swallowed up completely, but his disposition is rather less sunny these days.

What you can’t deny is he’s made Liverpool a force and that team he assembled a few years back was probably one of my favourites of the Premier League era. While City exuded control they were just bulldozing through teams with relentless pressing and fast, incisive combination play. It was a brand of football that fans dream of seeing.

This current side is nowhere near that level, partly because they’re still relying on some of those legacy players that have seen their best years and partly because those coming in aren’t quite as good.

My expectancy is for them to fall back in the coming years while the new coach comes in and rebuilds the squad to his liking. I think it’s because of Klopp they’ve overachieved this season and made a good fist of things with this transitional group of players.

For Sunday of course, they still have more than enough to wipe the floor with us. I’ve been particularly impressed with Cody Gakpo in recent weeks and he looks like he might be one that could step up his level and become a force.

Our old buddy Jota has continued his wretched run of injuries this season but could feature against his former club. He’s another one they could do with keeping fit because when he’s on the pitch, he invariably scores goals.

Wolves

I really hope Gary reverts to something more tried and tested for this one and shows a bit more attacking adventure.

The above team or something similar with Bellegarde maybe instead of Sarabia is what I’m talking about. And get three proper defenders in the back three. Or go to a four and play an extra midfielder.

I’ll be annoyed if we just fart around with it at the back, lose the ball in horrendous areas and get smacked for a load of goals. The way we’ve played lately is the type of football Liverpool dream of coming up against so we have to adjust.

Whatever happens, Gary has done superbly this season and I hope he’s backed over the summer to improve this squad one way or another.

Predictions

Well done to sharmwolf, Wokywolf and PeteRobbo for correctly predicting the 1-3 defeat to Palace last time out.

What Sunday might come down to is whether they play it like an exhibition match or come out of the blocks like a Champion’s League semi-final to honour their beloved leader. I fear it might be the latter.

Everything tells me we’re going to get slotted (which is a pun I sadly won’t get to use in the years to come) but it’s my last ever preview and I can do what I want so 2-1 to the old gold.

As always, if you want to join in the Prediction League simply leave a comment below with your best guess. Apologies that the PL table has been wrong all season. I still fully intend to fix it and create a legacy page showing all of the tables for each year we’ve had the game.

Wolves Blog Legacy Board

I know there will be a few people that think I’m leaving the community in the lurch by shuttering the blog but fear not, I’ve started a forum on Discord where everyone can join, read, comment and be merry. The intent is that this will eventually be self sustaining so anyone can start a new thread but I’ll help give it a push start over the summer. If you just want to read, you won’t have to do anything but bookmark the link. If you want to comment you’ll need to sign-up (it’s free). Just hit the Log In button on the top right and follow the instructions to create your account.

Thanks again for reading all my previews over the years. It’s been a pleasure.

Up The Wolves.