It is mission improbable for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening, as Gary O'Neil's men endeavour to pick up their first win of the 2024-25 Premier League season at home to Liverpool.
The hosts have only amassed one point from a possible 15 in the top flight so far this season, while Arne Slot's side head to Molineux on the back of a perfect start to the defence of their EFL Cup title.
Match preview
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The silverware omens are extremely promising for Saturday's visitors Liverpool if Wednesday's events are anything to go by, as after thrashing West Ham United 5-1 en route to last season's EFL Cup title, Slot's side incredibly demolished the Irons by the same scoreline in this season's third round.
Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo were both at the double as Liverpool kicked off the defence of their most recent major trophy with a bang, capping off a highly fruitful few days in which they also hit Bournemouth for three without reply in their most recent Premier League encounter.
Continuing his fine form after a summer of relentless transfer speculation, Luis Diaz netted twice against the Bees before Darwin Nunez added a touch of gloss to the scoreline with a delightful curling strike, giving Slot plenty of food for thought in the final third.
Having also downed AC Milan 3-1 in their Champions League opener, the Reds have marched to three successive wins in three separate competitions over the past fortnight and are currently Manchester City's closest Premier League challengers, sitting just one point off the champions in the rankings.
Retaining their knack for goal-laden showings on the road even in Jurgen Klopp's absence, Liverpool head to Molineux having netted multiple goals in each of their last five away games in all tournaments, while only letting in one goal in the 2024-25 Premier League to date.
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Saturday's evening kickoff pits the top flight's meanest defence against the joint-leakiest, as Wolves have now let in an alarming 14 Premier League goals - level with Everton for the worst record in the division - after last weekend's Villa Park disappointment.
O'Neil's men were flying high for approximately 70 minutes thanks to Matheus Cunha's opening effort, but a late blitz from the Champions League competitors saw Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Jhon Duran complete a striking turnaround in the West Midlands battle.
The month of September has not been one to remember for the Wolves faithful, whose team have also been bested by Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League this month, and they are only being kept off the foot of the division by Everton.
Making the net bulge is not where Wolves' problems lie, as O'Neil's men have registered at least one goal in each of their last six matches, but their 17-game run without a clean sheet in the Premier League - stretching back to February's win over Sheffield United - is the longest active streak in the division.
The hosts could also make unwanted history as the first team to lose three straight Premier League games in which they have led at half time, and each of their last three matches versus Liverpool has ended in defeat, including a 2-0 Anfield loss during Klopp's farewell in May.
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Team News
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For the second game running in midweek, Liverpool number one Alisson Becker was absent on account of his muscular injury, but Slot is confident that the Brazilian will shake off his problem in time for the weekend.
As a result, Caoimhin Kelleher should make way, despite earning his keep last weekend with a couple of crucial second-half saves, and Slot's only other injury victim is Harvey Elliott, who remains sidelined with his foot fracture.
The visiting head coach could swap out as many as 10 players from the EFL Cup crushing of West Ham, although two-goal Jota only lasted 59 minutes in midweek while Nunez played the full 90, suggesting that the Portuguese could lead the line this week.
Wolves' collapse against Villa was in no small part down to the injury suffered by defensive rock Yerson Mosquera, who is now confirmed to have suffered a significant knee issue, which could render him unavailable for the rest of the season.
Mosquera is one of five knee victims on the Wolves sidelines alongside Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Bastien Meupiyou and Boubacar Traore, although O'Neil might have Toti back from his thigh injury in time to deputise for Mosquera in defence - if not, Santiago Bueno will partner Craig Dawson.
Reportedly on the radar of Liverpool's scouting team, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri battled back from his own fitness concern to play the full 90 against Villa, although a booking here would leave him just one yellow card away from a suspension.
The hosts have also been hit by an autumnal virus sweeping through the ranks this week, although O'Neil did not specify which players had been affected.
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Semedo, S. Bueno, Dawson, Ait-Nouri; Bellegarde, Lemina, Andre, Gomes, Cunha; Larsen
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Liverpool
Wolves are capable of stringing together an effective attacking sequence more often than not, but the absence of Mosquera will only make the already-leaky hosts even more vulnerable at the back.
Liverpool triumphed 3-1 in this fixture last season, and an identical victory this time around looks to be a genuine possibility, as the rampant Reds remain on the coat-tails of Man City at the summit.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
