#1 Aiming for the league double
The FA Cup meetings between Wolves and Liverpool this season were quite even affairs, with the Reds coming out on top by just a single goal at Molineux in the replay after the controversial 2-2 draw at Anfield in their initial third round tie. But in the Premier League, Wolves claimed their first win over Liverpool at Molineux in more than 40 years when they put Jurgen Klopp’s men to the sword in a 3-0 demolition thanks to an early Joel Matip own goal which was added to shortly after by debutant Craig Dawson, before Ruben Neves fired in to ensure all three points were staying in the Black Country with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Although that was the first top-flight win against Liverpool at home since 1981, Wolves have not claimed a league double over the Reds for much, much longer. We have to go back all the way to the 1950/51 season to find the last time Wolves took maximum points off the men from Merseyside in the same season. Stan Cullis’ side hosted Liverpool at Molineux on 19th August 1950 – the opening day of the campaign – and came away with a 2-0 win at home after Billy Crook and Roy Swinbourne got their names on the scoresheet, before heading up to Anfield on 16th December and claiming a 4-1 victory. Since then, Wolves have claimed 12 league wins over Liverpool, but never have they come in the same season.
#2 Facing a misfiring Reds
After pushing for titles during the past four seasons, Liverpool have had their first dip in form under Klopp, having started the season with just two points from their opening three matches, which saw them temporarily sat in 16th place. They have managed to right the ship in spells throughout the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, with four consecutive wins either side of the World Cup break pushing the team up to seventh. But a run of four games without a win – including the aforementioned 3-0 loss to Wolves rocked their push for European football. Since the start of 2023, Liverpool have failed to score in four Premier League games – while throughout the whole of 2022, they failed to score in just two. Their defeat at Molineux also ended an 11-game winning streak against the old gold.
However, their form seems to be making a positive upturn in recent weeks, following seven points from their last three league matches. During these matches, Liverpool have not conceded a goal and have faced just five shots on target – with four of those coming against Newcastle. This has seen the Reds close the gap between themselves and sixth-placed Fulham to just three points – but Liverpool hold two games in hand over the Cottagers. And with 18 wins from their previous 20 home league games against Wolves, the Reds will be confident that they can continue their upward trajectory on Wednesday evening.
Ruben securing the victory the last time we faced Liverpool.
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 28, 2023
🐺😍 pic.twitter.com/hODj5aj6od
#3 Cunha’s fitness worries
Wolves were dealt a blow to their push away from the relegation places on the hour mark at Craven Cottage on Friday evening. With a 1-0 lead against Fulham, Matheus Cunha had to be stretchered off the pitch after lengthy treatment from the gold and black medical team. The Brazilian had played a key role in the game up to that point, linking up well with his fellow forward Raul Jimenez as well as Pablo Sarabia out on the right – helping the Spaniard to grab his first goal in a Wolves shirt. But Cunha’s ankle injury had a knock-on effect on the team – as just four minutes after he was replaced by Adama Traore, Fulham found their equalising finish, swinging the game in the host’s favour, but Wolves were able to hand on to a point.
After it looked like Cunha would be out for some time, Julen Lopetegui dampened the disappointment in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, saying the forward’s injury is ‘not a big’ one, and it will be touch and go as to whether Cunha could even make an appearance at Anfield this evening, and will be given a late fitness test this morning. Other injury worries for this evening include Pedro Neto, who could make his first senior appearance tonight after playing two lots of 45 minutes for the under-21s in his recovery from a long-term injury, however, the head coach did confirm Boubacar Traore and Hee Chan Hwang remain sidelined for another few weeks.
#4 Three different kits in three successive games
Fans of alternative kits will be happy to hear that Lopetegui’s men will be wearing their arctic ice third strip for the visit to Anfield on Wednesday evening. The outing will also mark the third successive game in which Wolves have donned a different garment having stepped out at Molineux 11 days ago for the visit of Bournemouth in their traditional gold and black number, before wearing the teal away strip at Fulham last Friday evening.
The draw in the capital ensured Wolves would remain unbeaten wearing their second kit so far this campaign, having worn the teal offering in the 2-1 win away at Southampton just three weeks ago. The same cannot be said for the third kit however, with the only previous match in which the men’s first-team wore the arctic ice shirt coming back in October as a Steve Davis-led Wolves team fell to Crystal Palace on the road. But with the kit being worn for the first time under the Lopetegui era this evening, maybe that will help inspire a more positive result.
