Wolves vs. Liverpool: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Molineux stages the first of two quick-fire meetings between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool on Tuesday night, with Premier League survival and a top-five push respectively on the line. The return engagement in the FA Cup fifth round follows only three days later, but the immediate focus is a league encounter that suddenly looks anything but routine for the visitors.

Liverpool arrive in the Midlands buoyed by a third consecutive league victory, Saturday’s 5-2 dismissal of West Ham United keeping their Champions League hopes firmly alive. Yet the scoreline masked another uneven display; the Reds have rarely hit the heights of last season and will soon surrender their crown. Fifth place, three points clear of Chelsea and within striking distance of faltering Aston Villa, represents the new target. Anything less than three points against the division’s bottom club would feel like self-sabotage, especially with Chelsea travelling to Villa Park 24 hours later.

Wolves, however, no longer resemble the relegation certainties they appeared to be only weeks ago. Rob Edwards’ side climbed to 13 points with Friday’s stirring 2-0 derby defeat of Villa, eclipsing Derby County’s infamous 11-point low. Two draws and a win in their last three outings have injected belief into Molineux, and while survival remains a long shot with ten matches remaining, back-to-back league victories would crank the volume on talk of a great escape.

Team news tilts the balance further toward intrigue. Wolves will almost certainly be without summer target André, who limped off with a hamstring complaint against Villa and faces a race to be fit for the cup tie, let alone the league clash. Hwang Hee-chan remains unavailable with a knock, nudging Edwards toward a front pairing of January arrival Adam Armstrong and powerful striker Tolu Arokodare. Expect a 3-5-2 designed to crowd midfield and spring counters through Armstrong’s movement.

Liverpool’s infirmary is emptier but still significant. Florian Wirtz continues to nurse a back problem and will not be risked, while long-term casualties Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined. Jeremie Frimpong marked his return from injury off the bench against West Ham and could feature, though Joe Gomez’s steadiness may keep the Dutchman waiting. Arne Slot is otherwise expected to name a near full-strength 4-2-3-1, trusting the in-form quartet of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and loan striker Jean-Eder Ekitiké to supply the cutting edge.

Kick-off is live on TNT Sports 1 and Ultimate in the UK, with streaming via discovery+. Canadian viewers can follow on DAZN or fuboTV. The stakes are simple: Wolves need a miracle run to avoid the drop; Liverpool need to keep winning to reclaim a seat at Europe’s top table. On current form, neither outcome feels guaranteed.

Predicted lineups

Wolves (3-5-2): José Sá; Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes; Tchatchoua; Bellegarde, João Gomes, Boubacar Mané, Hugo Bueno; Adam Armstrong, Tolu Arokodare.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo; Jean-Eder Ekitiké.