Liverpool’s Premier League season reaches its conclusion against Wolves on Sunday afternoon, but can the Reds defy the odds and win the title?
Liverpool vs. Wolves
Sunday, May 12, 2019 – 3pm (BST)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Martin Atkinson
It’s all getting a bit ridiculous now, isn’t it?
The Newcastle victory last weekend felt big enough, keeping the title race going until the final day, but what happened on Tuesday almost defied logic.
Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Barcelona saw them book a place in the Champions League final, on a night that rivalled Istanbul for drama.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side’s hopes of a double remain alive, in what would surely be the club’s greatest success of all time.
European commitments take a back step this weekend, as Liverpool look to achieve their main aim of the season and clinch Premier League glory.
After 37 matches and an epic tussle with Man City, just one point separates the two sides with 90 minutes of football remaining.
The Reds welcome Wolves to Anfield on Sunday, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men experiencing a memorable season of their own, securing a seventh-placed finish on their return to the Premier League.
They will pose a real threat to Liverpool’s hopes and Klopp and his players must focus solely on their own task, rather than have an eye on City’s trip to Brighton.
City slipping up at the Amex is highly unlikely, but this week has shown that anything is possible in football.
Liverpool have performed magnificently to even be in with a chance of winning the title, and ending on 97 points is something nobody expected back in August.
If City win it, hats off to them for a remarkable effort, but this Reds side is special and you can’t count out something dramatic occurring.
It has been quite a ride—let’s finish on a high.
Team News
Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah have all been passed fit for the game, which is a huge boost.
Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are still missing for Liverpool, though, but the latter should be fit for the Champions League final.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana trained on Friday.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk and Robertson pick themselves at the back.
Fabinho, Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum should make up the midfield three, having all excelled against Barcelona in midweek.
James Milner is also a strong option, however, but quick-fire games on his ageing legs may mean a place on the substitutes’ bench; though he could be considered at left-back if Robertson is not ready to start.
Divock Origi merits another start after huge contributions in the last two matches, especially in the continued absence of Firmino.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge will be hoping to rival Origi for a place, but neither are as reliable at the moment.
Wolves have a fully fit squad to choose from, as they aim to end an excellent season in style.
Last 5 at Home to Wolves (All Competitions)
Lost 2-1 – January 2017 (Origi; Stearman, Weimann)
Won 2-1 – September 2011 (Johnson OG, Suarez; Fletcher)
Lost 1-0 – December 2010 (Ward)
Won 2-0 – December 2009 (Gerrard, Benayoun)
Won 1-0 – March 2004 (Hyypia)
Did You Know?
Salah goes into the final day leading the Premier League scoring charts by two goals, finding the net 22 times in 2018/19.
The Egyptian isn’t a shoo-in to win the Golden Boot for a second consecutive season, however, with Sadio Mane one of three players on 20 goals.
Sergio Aguero and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the other two in question and they may fancy their chances of bagging a few more against Brighton and Burnley respectively.
For a player who has supposedly been below par in 2018/19, Salah hasn’t been too bad by the looks of it!
Form
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 4-0 vs. Barcelona
Won 3-2 vs. Newcastle
Lost 3-0 vs. Barcelona
Won 5-0 vs. Huddersfield
Won 2-0 vs. Cardiff
Wolves – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 1-0 vs. Fulham
Won 2-1 vs. Watford
Won 3-1 vs. Arsenal
Drew 0-0 vs. Brighton
Lost 3-1 vs. Southampton
Klopp’s View
Speaking in Friday’s press conference, Klopp paid respect to Wolves, admitting Sunday will be a big challenge:
“The only thing we can do is win the game.
“In this situation it looks like Wolves and Brighton they are there [to compete].
“Wolves had ambitions all year, seventh in an unbelievably competitive league after getting promotion.
“They play wonderful football, difficult to play [against], good defending, sensational countering.
“Nuno is doing an incredible job there. It makes our job pretty difficult.”
Live Blog & TV Info
Liverpool vs. Wolves has unsurprisingly been selected as one of Sky Sports’ live games on Sunday, with all 10 top-flight games kicking off at 3pm (BST).
Coverage on Sky Sports Premier League gets underway at 2pm and This Is Anfield readers can get 25% off a Sky Sports Day Pass on NOW TV with the promo code ‘ANFIELD’, or click here.
Chris Williams takes charge of This is Anfield’s penultimate live blog of the season, keeping you entertained from 2.15pm.
