Rock bottom & homesick Wolves look destined to lose at Liverpool

Liverpool v Wolves, Premier League, December 29, 2010

Liverpool 1.33; Draw 5.29; Wolves 11.35

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For a supposed hectic schedule Liverpool have played little football of late.

By the time the Merseysiders take the field in the late kick-off on Wednesday night it will have been two weeks since the Reds last played a competitive match, as back-to-back postponements have seen Roy Hodgsons men frustratingly miss games in recent weeks. The lack of football has only heightened the pressure around Anfield, with Liverpool now languishing in mid-table no-mans-land, and with a serious battle on their hands to prove that they are still one of the leagues big boys.

But a closer inspection at Liverpools numbers this season point to some brighter trends.

At home the Reds have proven hugely formidable, only losing one of their eight games to date at Anfield. Moreover, the Scousers have cantered to victory in their last four home league matches, securing an aggregate 10-1 scorecard over that period.

That upward turn has also taken place with daily criticisms being levelled at their star players. Fernando Torres, arguably the biggest disappointment of the league this season, is still struggling to find his top form consistency. Steven Gerrard, who should make his long awaited return from injury against Wolves, has also been well off his best when hes featured. Pepe Reina has been dropping clangers that have been completely out of character. Glen Johnson looks a shadow of the player his was twelve months ago. And whats happened to Joe Cole?

Taking all those negativity into account, sprinkled with the devastating long term loss of workhorse Jamie Carragher, and mixed with the whole stomach-turning ownership of Hicks and Gillett, and the case could! actuall y be made that Liverpool are doing alright. No one is saying the situation is great, but it could be a hell of a lot worse.

Accordingly, with Gerrard and Torres in their predicted line-up the Kop will be hopeful of three points against Wolves. Key to any victory will be the ability of Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas to control the match in the middle of the park, while anything positive which Maxi can bring to the party will be an added bonus.

Elsewhere, one issue of interest will be how the Anfield faithful react to left-back Paul Konchesky. The summer signing from Fulham was dumped in the crapper the other week when the footballers mum labelled Liverpool fans as scouse scum and told them to stop living off the past on Facebook.

For all of Liverpools problems though, Wolves are really up against it.

Mick McCarthys side have good case for saying they havent been the worst team in the division this season, yet after the Boxing Day results the Midlanders found themselves depressingly rock bottom of the league. Down on their luck, Wolves are also severely down on men missing skipper Karl Henry (knee), Jody Craddock (hip), Kevin Doyle (thigh), Michael Mancienne (knee) and Steve Mouyokolo (back) for the trip to Liverpool.

Reflecting on their poor luck Henry has termed the game a no-lose match for Wolves, which only seems to have verbalised the defeatist feeling around the Molineux club. Were in a no-lose situation going to Liverpool. Well be underdogs and no one will expect us to get anything. If we can get a result it will be great.

The defeat to Wigan on Boxing Day may well have hit Wolves hard, and their are few silver-linings on the horizon. The major plus point for McCarthy is that winger Kevin Jarvis and striker Steven Fletcher will be in contention to start having missed the last outing through injury, while the likes of Stephen Hunt and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are capable of making something happen for the visitors.

Nevertheless, Wolves raw facts make painful reading. With ! 15 point s, no away wins all season and a -13 goal difference, they have to start turning some decent performances into points and do it quickly. Liverpool is as tough a test as any but what do they really have to lose by having a go at them? Mick McCarthy wont be happy if his side dont put up a fight.

On paper this match looks a forgone conclusion. Liverpool should win, and win comfortably. But football doesnt always work that way.

Wolves would do well to recall the story of little-known striker Steve Mardenborough of their way to Anfield. He was the sole scorer with his only ever career goal the last time the famous golden shirts won at Liverpool back in 1984. And, just like now, Wolves were bottom of the league at that time and considered no-hopers.

101gg predicts: Liverpool 3 Wolves 0

Liverpool 1.33; Draw 5.29; Wolves 11.35

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