Not everything is rosey.
Liverpool play Wolverhampton Wanderers in the early quick off this Saturday at 12.30pm to mark the return of Premier league action following the international break.
Liverpool fans have probably been pleasantly surprised with their brilliant start to the campaign so far, drawing their opening picture away to Chelsea and then winning the next three on the bounce.
With so many twists and turns during the summer transfer window, that saw seven key Liverpool players walk out of the exit door, it looked like there wasn’t going to be any reinforcement coming in.
After a poor season last year that saw the Reds miss out on Champions League football, things looked pretty bleak, until the signings of Waturo Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were announced late in the window.
Alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, this new midfield reboot has been very impressive in the opening games, with the Hungary captain in particular proving to be a brilliant signing.
The next game against Wolves may seem fairly straightforward on paper, especially when you consider how impressive Jurgen Klopp’s men were against Aston Villa in their last game, but there are some hurdles that need jumped.
There are six reasons in particular that Liverpool fans are at least a little nervous about going into this fixture.
The Early kick-off
It shouldn’t really be a factor, but the fact that Liverpool played six early kick-offs last year, and won a grand total of zero, is definitely a concern.
Even after destroying Man United 7-0, and their confidence was at an all-time high, they lost their very next game which happened to be an early kick-off against Bournemouth.
They haven’t won a game played at this time in over a year and a half.
Away game
Last season Liverpool’s away record was woeful, particularly in the first half of the year, where they just couldnt seem bag three points outside of Anfield.
So far this year they drew their first away game, which was against a struggling Chelsea side, and managed to pull off an incredible win against Newcastle at St Jame’s Park.
Even then though, that took two incredibly late goals from Darwin Nunez to steal that victory right at the death.
Virgil van Dijk suspension
During the victory over Newcastle, the Reds’ skipper was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity, which meant that he received a one match ban.
However, despite serving this ban, it was later extended to two games when it was deemed that the Dutchman verbally abused the match officials after the sending off.
This means that the away team will be without their leader, and star centre back.
Trent Alexander Arnold out with injury
With van Dijk suspended, Trent Alexander Arnold would be taking the captain’s armband for this game, however, the right back missed England duty to an injury he picked up against Villa.
When the squad were training on Thursday, the vice captain was nowhere to be seen, and Jurgen Klopp confirmed the fears of fans when he revealed that he won’t be available during a press conference.
Ibrahima Konate injury doubt
Ibrahima Konate missed the last two games through injury, and if he hasn’t fully recovered, then Liverpool will be going into this match without their two main centre backs.
Throw in the fact that Trent is out, and that means Joe Gomez might be deployed at right back, leaving Joel Matip as the only fit central defender available for selection.
20-year-old Jarell Quansah made his debut as a late substitute against Newcastle, and could be thrust into the starting team for this match.
Darwin Nunez didn’t train with the squad
Darwin Nunez has been in electric form for club and country, bagging two assists last week for Uruguay to go with the two goals and an assist he’s already got for Liverpool, the flying forward finally looks ready to take the Premier League by storm.
However, alongside Alexander Arnold, the striker wasn’t seen training with the team on Thursday, meaning that Klopp might not have his full roster of attacking options at his disposal.
Related links:
- Former Liverpool team-mate doesn’t buy Jordan Henderson’s excuse for leaving club
- FAI reportedly line up Lee Carsley to replace Stephen Kenny as ex-Liverpool boss discussed
- Stephen Ireland delivers a grim prediction for Liverpool’ season
