Liverpool v Wolves: Pre-Match Talking Points
By Jordan Carreno
Matchday 38 sees the Reds play host to Wolves at Anfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 AM EST on Sunday.
Here we are. We have arrived at Championship Sunday and, though it may be unlikely, Liverpool are in with a shout to win the title. All Liverpool can do now is pick up the final 3 points and hope that Brighton can do us a favor. As always all LFC Tampa Bay locations will be open, serving, and showing the match, so come on down and celebrate the end of this incredible season. With all that being said, let’s get into the talking points.
What A Season
Regardless of whether the miraculous happens on Sunday, we have all had the pleasure of witnessing one of the most amazing seasons in Liverpool’s history. From last second winners, to wonder strikes, and last gasp saves, it has been one for the books. So, even if it does end with Liverpool just missing out on the title, we should all look back on this season with awe and appreciation.
Not even the most optimistic Liverpool fan, myself included, would have predicted that this Liverpool team would go on to pick up 90+ points and possibly finish the season having only lost 1 game. After finishing the previous season 25 points off the Champions, the goal was always just to close the gap. That Liverpool have gone and whittled that gap down to a single point and head into the final day with an outside chance of winning that elusive Premier League title is an immense achievement in itself.
The belief is back now. We as fans can hold our heads up high and yell from the rooftops that Liverpool are the greatest team in the world with a degree of sincerity. This isn’t built on hope and luck, this Liverpool side is the product of hard work and vision. No longer will we have to worry about the house of cards collapsing as “bigger” teams pluck our talent, we have reclaimed our rightful place at the big boys table.
Ten years ago the club was on the brink of insolvency. Five years ago our hearts were wrenched from our bodies and that Liverpool team collapsed with the sale of Suarez. Three years ago we finished 7th. The strides made under Jurgen Klopp now have us pushing the widely acclaimed greatest English side ever to the very last day and performing far above the level of what was expected at the beginning of August. Regardless of whether it ends in being crowned champions, this season is something to be celebrated.
Proper Send Off
The events of Tuesday night have turned this final game of the season at Anfield into a sort of send off for Liverpool. This will ultimately be the last competitive match that Liverpool play before they ship off to Madrid for the Champions League final. The crowd will want to show their appreciation for everything the team has done so far this season and make sure they head down to Spain feeling inspired. Equally, the team will be looking to put on one last performance for a home crowd that has often played their part in dragging this team as far as it can go.
This is unfortunately the last chance for us as fans to get to watch this incredible and amazing Liverpool side put on a performance in the Premier League. It is the last chance this season for the players to repay the atmosphere created by the fans with an amazing performance. Though we do have the Final to play in a few weeks time, this is the last chance this season to gather together as Reds at our famous home of Anfield.
I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing this season could somehow go on and on forever. Each and every week has built on the last and this team has seemingly exceeded itself at every opportunity. I want so desperately for this crescendo to keep building until the end of time, but it unfortunately will all end Sunday.
The only thing to do now is for the fans to give the team a proper send off and for the team to give the fans a proper “thank you.” With their still an outside chance at the title, it is on Liverpool to make sure they see the season out in the proper fashion. With the team facing a trip to Madrid to play in the Champions League Final, it is on the Anfield crowd to fill the squad with as much passion and belief as they can. Sunday will hopefully be the send off and end to the season that both this team and our fans deserve.
Hope
Admit it. When Vincent Kompany banged in that ridiculous strike against Leicester, it felt as if everything right in the world was destroyed instantly. It was as if we were all being forced to stare down the barrel of a loaded gun and wait for our impending doom. At that point, we were most likely crashing out of the Champions League and going to come up just short of winning the title. It was hard to see the hope.
That performance against Barcelona midweek will have reminded us all that giving up is such a silly thing to do. That football is a sport that can produce the most unlikely of outcomes and can seemingly birth miracles on its own. That Anfield is magic and that this club just has a way of toying with your emotions before filling you with unfathomable levels of joy. Most importantly, it drove home that famous lyric we all sing before and after the matches; “Walk on with hope in your heart.”
Yes, it is very unlikely that Brighton do us a favor. Yes, all Liverpool can do is go out and get three points and hope. What Tuesday night should have reminded us all is that, sometimes, hope is all you need. Improbable doesn’t mean impossible, especially in football. So, no matter how improbable it may seem, we should not lose hope.
I hope Brighton put on the performance of their lives on Sunday and take full pleasure in spoiling City’s party. It may not happen, but until the final whistles across England on Sunday I will not stop hoping. Whilst on Tuesday morning my body was bereft of any emotions other than grief, now I am full to the brim with the belief Klopp had asked us all to cling to. So hope with me and, if it doesn’t come off, believe in this team. If it doesn’t happen Sunday, know that this club’s time is coming and as long as you believe it then nothing can stop that from becoming a reality.
Prediction
We are back to the domestic table again where I am looking to pick up my first piece of silverware. David and I both picked up a point last time out for correctly predicting Liverpool to beat Newcastle. It is now my 54 points to David’s 50, which means 2 points will win me the title.
Wolves are a good team and they’re going to give us a game for as long as we allow them to be in it. They have a proud record of having taken points off of every top 6 team in the Premier League except Liverpool. With Wolves having already secured 7th place, getting points off of Liverpool and completing their set might be the only thing left to play for. I suspect they come out in their usual 5–3–2 formation and look to defend and hit Liverpool on the counter.
For us, it is as simple as continuing on with the tried and tested formula. I have no doubt that Jurgen Klopp will field a 4–3–3 with most of the usual suspects. Though Tuesday was undoubtedly an intense and energy draining match, there is enough of a gap for all the participants in that game to be full fitness come Sunday morning. I think the line-up will be Alisson, VVD, Matip, Robbo, Trent, Fab, Hendo, Gini, Salah, Mane, and Origi.
Wolves may be a good team and they may have a bit of motivation in this one, but I just don’t see them being the team to derail this Liverpool side’s push. I suspect the Anfield crowd to still be buzzing after Tuesday which will lead to creating a top atmosphere to drive the players on. I think we score early, and when we do Wolves start thinking of the beaches and golf courses in their near future. 3–0. (Oh, and Brighton shock the footballing world)
David’s Prediction: Wolves will give it a go, but in the end, they have seventh locked and that’s enough to secure them Thursday football should Arsenal win this iteration of the Europa League on May 29. In truth, they’ve had a fantastic season and will just go out there looking to play some decent football. While that could still be enough to beat us on an ordinary day, I don’t think it is on a day when the Reds have a title to play for an impressive home record to complete. The crowd will be up for it so I suspect the Reds will complete the deed, but Wolves score one dazzler before it’s over. 4–1 to the Reds.
