Match Thread: Liverpool v Wolves 19.5.24 KO 4pm
By Ivybridge Wolf
May 19 2024
Before this preview, as this is the final game of the season, Cheshire Wolf and I would like to take this opportunity to offer sincere thanks to everyone of you who read and contribute to the Molineux Way, it really is appreciated. A season of ups and downs, as always, though far more positive than anyone really expected after such a chaotic start before O’Neil was appointed. It has been a season when the team and manager have certainly reconnected with the supporters, a major plus. Anyway, all the very best to all out there reading this!
Wolves end the 2023/24 season today at Anfield which is rapidly becoming a seasonal favourite of the ‘random’ Premier League fixture generator! Since we’ve been back in the top flight, we’ve played Liverpool away in 18/19 (lost 2-0), 21/22 (lost 3-1) and now again this afternoon. There was another in 1976 too, but that’s another story and a very long time ago.
The defeat at Molineux to Palace last week was crushing for the fans and players alike, despite a spirited effort in the second half, the damage was done in the first 45 minutes and Wolves ended their home campaign on a low. The difference between the two sides were the finishing ability of a strong Eagles forward line and a defence that has increasingly become leaky since the absence of Craig Dawson.
And so onto today, or as it has become (by all media outlets) the Klipperty Klopp love-in grand finale show. I dread the thought and prospect of Carragher and the rest of the sycophants covering the glory years. Will they mention Wolves I wonder? Despite this, to secure a result and spoil the Jurgen party, Wolves will have to dig deep to find a performance which has been hard to muster in recent weeks.
Whilst the title challenge wilted, Liverpool away is a tough test and they haven’t lost a final day home fixture since the title decider in 1989!! Nevertheless they do concede goals, 10 home games without a clean sheet, so there is hope for Wolves … indeed all of Liverpool’s last six managers have failed to secure a final day win. Omens? Well, to temper that, our form isn’t great (one win since March 9th) and we haven’t got a win in any of our final matches in this current premier league sequence. Should we score twice however, we will have scored the most goals in this PL run. Our last league win at Anfield was courtesy of the Stephen Ward winner in December 2010.
For Liverpool, Robertson is tipped to return, and our man Diogo Jota may be back along with Tiago. It is reported that Neto will be part of the squad, which is excellent news, however Sarabia is a doubt, plus of course Dawson being unavailable. The Wolves line up and formation are up for grabs, though I would firmly predict three at the back … who wouldn’t away to Liverpool? After all, since 18/19, Wolves have only won 1 in 11 league fixture v Liverpool (3-0 at Molineux in January 2023), with a couple notable VAR moments in both league and cup!
Talking of VAR, I have been impressed with the way Wolves hierarchy and GON have ensured a vote to seek scrapping the whole crummy system, see the Molineux Way link https://www.thefootballnetwork.net/boards/read/s115.htm?115,17508506 . Will it pass? I doubt it, but at least there will be a debate and they have presented a series of compelling issues of concern. The feeling of ill feeling towards VAR at Molineux is palpable.
Finally, a word about the seasons Wolves awards and so congratulations to Mario Lemina for winning player of the season (obviously helped by my vote), Nelson Semedo for getting players player of the season and Sarabia for achieving goal of the season with his terrific control and finish at home to Spurs.
The match will be covered live today by Sky Sports with kick off at 4pm. Please leave your thoughts and comments in this thread in the usual way …. and before I sign off, here’s to 2024/25, as Gary O’Neil has wisely stated, the work for next season starts on Monday!
All the best, enjoy the match and UP THE WOLVES!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:06:25:10:15:58 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Fingers crossed for this afternoon and best wishes to Klopp and family.
Wolves XI: Sa, Ait-Nouri, S Bueno, Lemina, Gomes, Hwang, Cunha, Semedo, Kilman, Toti, Bellegarde.
Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Traore, Neto, H Bueno, Doyle, Gonzalez, Chirewa, Fraser.
There we go, the final selction of the season. Neto on the bench, as are Traore and The Doc.
C'mon Wolves!!
See y'all next year (or more likely when something happens in the transfer window).
UTW