Liverpool have had a near-perfect begin to life beneath Arne Slot. Although there was loads to love from the 5-1 victory over West Ham United within the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, Wolverhampton Wanderers will current a special check.
Assembly the Outdated Gold at Molineux this night, Liverpool may rise into first place within the Premier League with a win, although that hinges on Manchester Metropolis dropping factors at St. James’ Park this afternoon.
Slot’s assault is firing on all cylinders. Liverpool have the sharpness up prime to do nice issues this yr, however Wolves are resilient and cohesive and can look to capitalise on a sluggish begin by way of gamers like Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Wolves are backside of the pile, nevertheless, with one draw and 4 losses from 5 matches and the joint-worst defensive report within the division. Liverpool can be assured that they’ll get the job executed.
Liverpool group information
Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker “is able to play” after the distinguished shot-stopped missed the previous three matches in all competitions with a hamstring situation.
Harvey Elliott continues his rehabilitation from a fractured foot suffered on worldwide responsibility with England U21s earlier this month, however Liverpool have a fairly clear invoice of well being.
Wolves have doubtlessly misplaced centre-back Yerson Mosquera for the marketing campaign after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, whereas fellow defender Toti Gomes missed final week’s defeat towards Aston Villa and faces a race to return to the line-up.
Darwin Nunez has scored and assisted throughout his previous two video games – the Uruguayan’s first begins of the season – however must be dropped for this one, this is why.
Why Slot ought to drop Darwin Nunez
It has been one thing of a rocky highway for Nunez since transferring to Liverpool in a deal rising to a club-record £85m charge in 2022. The 25-year-old striker is explosive and dynamic but in addition frustratingly wasteful in entrance of purpose, scoring 21 Premier League targets in whole but in addition lacking 47 huge probabilities.
Slot has tempered his wild aspect, to make sure, having narrowed the ahead’s stylistic method in scope. Fewer dribbles, much less chaos, extra work on positioning and spatial consciousness, moving into promising positions and placing true.
Jurgen Klopp as soon as known as Nunez “unstoppable” when at his greatest, and although he hasn’t really reached that stage with the consistency desired, there have been promising indicators throughout the previous few matches. That stated, whereas he positioned an help towards West Ham, there was loads to be desired from his efficiency.
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Darwin Nunez: Stats vs West Ham |
|
|---|---|
|
Stats |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Targets |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Touches |
27 |
|
Photographs (on course) |
0 (0) |
|
Correct passes |
13/15 (87%) |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Dribbles (accomplished) |
0 (0) |
|
Tackles |
4 |
|
Complete duels (gained) |
12 (5) |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore |
|
This really implies that he took fewer touches than his goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher (who took 32) regardless of taking part in the complete 90 minutes. He may need made some good actions off the ball, labored exhausting in defence, however did not do sufficient with the alternatives offered to him.
90min felt that he hadn’t executed fairly sufficient, handing him solely a 5/10 match score and writing that he ‘struggled to get into the sport’. It is perhaps higher to make use of him as a second-half choice towards Wolves, persevering with the rotation that’s enabled by such a vibrant and deep frontline.
Nunez additionally occurs to be an excellent choice to unleash within the later part of a match, which could possibly be key towards a Wolves aspect that has suffered from falling to late-stage strikes.
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Wolves: Time of Targets Conceded 2024/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Time |
Targets Conceded |
|
80 – 90+ |
5 |
|
70 – 79 |
3 |
|
60 – 69 |
1 |
|
45 – 59 |
2 |
|
30 – 45+ |
2 |
|
20 – 29 |
1 |
|
10 – 19 |
2 |
|
0 – 9 |
1 |
|
Stats by way of BBC Sport |
|
As you’ll be able to see, Wolves have suffered from delivery targets late, burning out. Liverpool, conversely, have let in a purpose solely as soon as past the seventieth minute throughout all competitions this season, so a quick begin from the guests will make a telling touch upon which method the pendulum will swing.
Ought to Nunez be dropped, it is crucial that Luis Diaz is unleashed in his stead, shifting onto the left flank, after all.
Luis Diaz could possibly be the difference-maker
Diaz has been a revelation for the Reds this season. Check with the primary desk from earlier, and you will notice that he is already scored 5 targets this season, with simply 5 appearances within the Premier League too.
This can be a exceptional begin from a participant who, proficient, sure, wasn’t precisely probably the most prolific of gamers final season, bagging 13 targets and 5 assists from 53 video games throughout all competitions for Liverpool.
He is additionally extremely technical, rating among the many prime 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for go completion and the highest 10% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
The Colombia star – whose worldwide efforts of late, 4 targets and two assists in 2024, have added to the rise – is turning into a potent power for Liverpool, and although there is a lengthy highway to journey earlier than he proves that his stage has transcended that of a ‘purple patch’.
Described as a “livewire” by journalist Peter Corridor up to now, Diaz’s medical taking pictures and efficient playmaking and dribbling hints towards a brand new model of this maverick Redman. In opposition to the Cherries, his two-goal show earned him a 9/10 match rating from the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle.
He was rested for the midweek fixture, whereas Nunez performed the complete contest, so it is apparent that Slot needs at hand him a beginning berth for the sixth successive time within the English prime flight, however with Diogo Jota taking part in an hour towards Bournemouth final weekend and the identical once more towards the Irons, he can be rested and able to tackle Molineux.
That performs into the truth that Nunez could have an opportunity to shine later right now, and who is aware of, given Wolves’ proneness to late concessions, he should ship the travelling Merseysiders into rapture.
