Ten days after their last meeting, Liverpool and Wolves meet again for a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Jurgen Klopp is not the only one who missed out on injury.
If you look up the word “injury” in the dictionary, you may well find the name of Liverpool in the description, such is the close relationship they have developed this season.
A total of 22 Reds have missed at least one game due to injuries this season, and only six have so far completely avoided any problems.
Darwin Nunez is “very close” to returning, but Tuesday’s cup match may be too early for the striker. Liverpool will not seek to take risks when the attacking options are small.
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, on the other hand, may welcome Diego Costa back into the team after missing the last three games, while Raul Jimenez will be ready to start.
The hosts will be without Pedro Neto, Boubacar Traore, Chiquinho and Sasa Kalajic due to injuries, in addition to their new contract Mario Lemin.
Last week, Lemina moved for 9 million pounds, and Lopetegui wasted no time handing the midfielder his debut off the bench against West Ham at the weekend.
However, the 29-year-old is ineligible for Tuesday night’s match as he was not registered for the initial third-round match at Anfield.
This means that the Reds may have a chance to get to know Mateus Nunez’s summer goal once again, who made a strong impression from the bench in a 2-2 draw.
Although Liverpool are going through a slump, Lopetegui expects a reaction from Klopp at Molineux.
Liverpool is one of the best teams in the world,” Lopetegui told reporters. “The quality of his [Klopp’s] players, the coach, his history.
“I’m sure they will come here and hope to have a big match. We must be ready to overcome them.
“The FA Cup will be an important goal for them — and for us too — we have to fight to beat one of the best teams in the world.”
Possible Wolves XI: Sarkik; Semedo, Collins, Toti, Ait-Nuri; Hodge, Neves, Nunez; Traore, Jimenez, Hwang
