The defending champions Liverpool get underway with the defence of their FA Cup crown when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday’s third-round fixture at Anfield.
A flying start to their Premier League restart after the World Cup break for Liverpool was brought to an abrupt halt on Monday with a 3-1 defeat away at Brentford who proved to be clinical enough to tear apart the Virgil van Dijk-led backline.
With their EFL Cup defence already having come to an end following the defeat to Manchester City in December, Jurgen Klopp’s men would be hopeful of booking their spot in the next round of the FA Cup as they gear up for Wolves on home soil.
The defeat to Brentford saw Liverpool’s showing did not warrant anything other than being on the losing side despite the manager Klopp’s protests of Brentford’s third and final goal coming after Mbeumo’s nudge on Konate going unpunished.
The eight-time FA Cup winners Liverpool, who edged past Chelsea in last season’s final following a tense penalty shootout, will be heading into the weekend’s contest amid calls for the Reds board to reinforce the midfield ranks which have earned much criticism this season for their underwhelming displays.
While it remains to be seen whether Klopp is backed to sign a new midfield player for his squad before the deadline on January 31, the Liverpool boss will be pleased to call upon the services of his recent signing, Cody Gakpo, who is eligible for selection after his registration as a Liverpool player.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 7 January 2023
Time: 7 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk’s substitution in the defeat to Brentford was initially thought to have been a precautionary measure but the centre-back is now confirmed to be sidelined with a hamstring injury.
James Milner and Roberto Firmino could be in line for returns from their hamstring and calf issues in time for Saturday’s home game while Arthur Melo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota remain long-term injury absentees.
Gakpo has completed the required formalities of his transfer from PSV to Liverpool and the Dutch winger is tipped for a starting berth on the team sheet with Klopp bereft of options to draft on the left-hand side.
KEY BATTLE
Cody Gakpo vs Matheus Cunha
Both sets of fans would be eagerly awaiting their team’s new signings – Liverpool’s Gakpo and Wolves’ Cunha to make a difference on the pitch.
With Liverpool losing two key attackers Diaz and Jota to injuries for the majority of the campaign, Gakpo’s arrival is sure to provide Klopp with much-needed firepower in a front line that has failed to impress despite the signing of Darwin Nunez last summer.
For the visitors Wolves, it could be a full debut in the Anfield showdown for the Atletico Madrid loanee Matheus Cunha who will look to trouble a Reds backline that will be missing Van Dijk
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool are the favourites for the cup tie and Klopp’s men should be seen bouncing back in style from their defeat last time out in top-flight action.
Liverpool 3-1 Wolves
