With their push for a top four finish intensifying, Liverpool travel to Molineux on Tuesday knowing that anything less than victory over basement side Wolverhampton Wanderers would represent a significant setback in the Champions League race.
The Merseysiders sit fifth in the Premier League table on 48 points after a 5-2 win over West Ham United at the weekend. Wolves, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the standings with just 13 points, though their 2-0 triumph against Aston Villa on Friday offered a rare but welcome highlight in a difficult campaign.
Few anticipated Wolves taking maximum points from Villa, but their victory underlined a curious trend: they have now taken points off three of the division’s current top four. Despite enduring a torrid season, the Midlands outfit have demonstrated an ability to frustrate elite opposition on occasion.
Their tally of 13 points at least spares them from unwanted historical infamy. That record still belongs to Derby County, who collected just 11 points during the 2007-08 Premier League season. Wolves are unlikely to escape relegation, but there have been signs of incremental improvement under head coach Rob Edwards.
Across his last 11 league matches in charge, Edwards has overseen two wins, five draws and four defeats — hardly transformative, yet competitive enough to suggest that Wolves are no longer pushovers. The Old Gold have failed to score in five of their last eight league fixtures, conceding 10 times in that stretch, but they have also kept three clean sheets — evidence of greater defensive organization.
Molineux has not exactly become a fortress, but Wolves have found relative comfort on home soil. They have taken eight points from the last 18 available there, a modest return but one that indicates Liverpool cannot afford complacency.
As for the visitors, their 5-2 victory over West Ham was emphatic on the scoreboard but more nuanced in performance metrics. The Hammers matched Liverpool for big chances, produced a similar expected goals return and even edged possession at Anfield. However, clinical execution — particularly from set pieces — proved decisive.
Head coach Arne Slot highlighted the importance of dead-ball situations after the match, with Liverpool scoring their first three goals from corners. In fact, the Reds set a Premier League record for consecutive non-penalty set-piece goals with seven, underlining a newly sharpened edge in that department.
Defensively, there has also been improvement. While they conceded twice against West Ham, Liverpool had kept three straight clean sheets beforehand and have scored at least twice in six of their last nine outings in all competitions.
They will aim to extend their winning streak against Wolves to seven matches. Notably, however, the last three meetings have all finished 2-1 in Liverpool’s favour, including the reverse fixture in December 2025. Despite the gulf in league position, recent head-to-head encounters suggest Wolves can keep things competitive.
Momentum is firmly with Slot’s side. They arrive at Molineux on a four-match winning run and have triumphed in six of their last seven matches across all competitions. Their away form has also been strong, with just one defeat in their previous 10 games on the road, six of which ended in victory.
Team news
Wolves are expected to persist with a back three of Toti Gomes, Santiago Bueno and Yerson Mosquera in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa. Teenager Mateus Mane should retain his place after impressing in attacking areas, while Angel Gomes may partner Joao Gomes in midfield following Andre’s injury.Liverpool are likely to be without Florian Wirtz, whom Slot has indicated is unlikely to recover in time. That would see Dominik Szoboszlai continue in the number 10 role. Despite mixed recent form, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are expected to keep their places, supporting striker Hugo Ekitike.
Jeremie Frimpong, having returned from injury against West Ham, could be handed a start as he works towards full match fitness ahead of the season’s decisive phase.
Possible starting XIs
Wolverhampton Wanderers:Sa; Mosquera, S Bueno, T Gomes; Tchatchoua, A Gomes, J Gomes, H Bueno; Bellegarde, Mane; Armstrong
Liverpool:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Salah; Ekitike
With Champions League qualification hanging in the balance, Liverpool cannot afford a slip against the league’s bottom side. Yet Wolves’ recent resilience — particularly against stronger opponents — ensures that Tuesday’s contest at Molineux may prove more testing than the table suggests.
EXPERT PREDICTION
Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
