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Liverpool v Wolves: Get the low-down on Jurgen Klopp's side

Wolves face a daunting trip to Anfield this weekend as they look to finish their brilliant season well.

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Liverpool performed a footballing miracle against Barcelona this week, will they follow that up with a result against Wolves?

Of course, attention is on the Premier League title race, with Liverpool needing to better Man City's result at Brighton to lift the trophy.

We spoke with Josh Sexton, from The Anfield Wrap, and our very own digital editor and Liverpool season ticket holder, Harry Leather, to get a proper look at the Reds ahead of the game.

It's been quite a season for Liverpool, who have been in the midst of a frantic title race with Man City - what have you made of it from a Reds perspective?

HL: It’s been exciting, fun, intense, nerve-shredding and extremely enjoyable. But City’s infuriating brilliance means it’s ultimately likely to be disappointing.

The journey has been incredible nonetheless and I feel nothing but pride for how we’ve performed throughout the season - particularly the last few months where we’ve somehow managed to grind out results and keep up with the Man City juggernaut.

Mo Salah is one player Wolves will need to keep an eye on if he's fit (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

With all the luck we’ve had throughout the season - think Origi v Everton and our spawny late winner against Spurs - it really did start to feel like it might be our year.

Alas, Man City are just too damn good.

JS: It's hard to ask for much more than this Liverpool team have given us this season.

Our tally of 94 points with a game remaining would be enough to win the league in all but two years since the Premier League began, which shows the task we're up against in keeping ground with this Manchester City side, but also the progress we've made in a relatively short space of time.

Is there still some hope in the camp that Man City could drop points on the final day, and Liverpool can go all the way with a win over Wolves?

HL: Hope, yes, expectation, no. Although having said that, after Tuesday night fans will believe anything is possible.

But you can’t help but feel that if City were going to drop points at any point it was going to be against Leicester. And Vincent Kompany ruined that dream.

You never know - and we’ll be having a party in Liverpool all day regardless - but I would expect City to batter Brighton.

JS: There is hope, as that's one of the main things that keeps us going as football supporters, but the expectation is that City will make as light work of Brighton as they have of every other opponent they've faced since their loss to Newcastle.

Hopefully Brighton aren't already on the beach and are out for revenge after their slim FA Cup semi-final loss to City.

The main thing is that Liverpool do their job, then who knows what will happen?

It's obviously been a very successful season for the Reds, but is there now a real need to win trophies for Jurgen Klopp after several promising campaigns?

HL: It’s a slight cop out but the answer is yes and no.

Yes, because we’re now on our longest run without winning a trophy since the Shankly days and silverware could give the players even more confidence.

No, because the progress we’ve made under Klopp is apparent. We’re on track to get 97 points yet not win the league and have now reached two Champions League finals in a row.

Jurgen Klopp's side have been fantastic this season.

More often than not we’re a joy to watch and, perhaps most importantly, Klopp has solidified a defence which until last year was known for its inconsistency and love of stupid mistakes.

As much as I love Klopp, I wish he wouldn’t rest key players for the domestic cups (particularly if we keep getting drawn against Wolves….).

JS: I wouldn't say it's a need as such, as the staggering progress we've made under Klopp is clear for all of us to see, but it would be no less than this team deserve for what they've put into this campaign.

Some people thought we'd fall behind in the race for the title, we looked as though we may not make it out of what was a tough Champions League group, and then looked down and out against Barcelona just last week, and every time this team have come up with the goods.

They deserve a league title but if they can't have that we'd love a sixth European Cup!

Are there any injury worries that could scupper Liverpool in this clash?

HL: We’ve had updates on Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino and Andy Robertson now, with the second of the three set to miss out.

Salah was concussed so should be given the all-clear for the weekend.

Robbo’s sounds like a dead leg to the calf so hopefully he’ll be back too.

Ordinarily Firmino would be by far the biggest loss as his unusual combination of skill, strength, workrate, finesse and defending from the front transforms the way we play.

Klopp does have injury problems to handle.

But given Origi’s recent form in Firmino’s absence, I think we would miss Robertson the most. He’s brilliant.

Naby Keita is also out, but is easily replaced, while Oxlade-Chamberlain has recently come back from a year out. He came off the bench against Huddersfield but wasn’t in the squad against Barca so I’m not sure whether he’ll feature or not.

JS: The injury to Roberto Firmino is a big shame as he's a crucial part of this side, but given the form of Divock Origi, the high this team are currently on, and the return of Mo Salah, I can't see it scuppering us as such.

We've got more than enough in our armoury to take the three points in what will be a tough game.

What sort of team line-up can we expect from Klopp's side for this fixture?

HL: It’s obviously dependent on the injuries mentioned above, but if everybody’s available it will be full strength.

That means Alisson in goal, Alexander-Arnold and Robbo either side of Van Dijk and Matip in defence and Mane, Firmino and Salah up top.

The midfield could be any three out of Fabinho, Milner, Henderson and Wijnaldum. They’re all playing brilliantly.

If Robbo is out Milner will likely move to left back and, after scoring three in two, it’s hard to see anyone but big Divock covering in attack.

JS: Our back five almost picks itself this season, although it would have been Joe Gomez over Joel Matip before Gomez's injury away at Burnley.

The hope is that Klopp will stick with that, fitness permitting, and not opt for Dejan Lovren as he did at Newcastle.

I've got nothing against Lovren, but the chopping and changing at centre half doesn't help our stability at the back.

In midfield, Klopp's options look slightly more limited with injury to Naby Keita and doubts over the fitness of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

We may see Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum have to go again to allow James Milner a deserved rest.

Up front I suspect we'll see Origi rewarded for his form alongside the top-scoring duo of Salah and Sadio Mane.

Who would you say is the biggest threat to worry about in Liverpool's side from a Wolves perspective and why?

HL: Take your pick!

If Firmino, Salah and Mane all play I’ll be amazed if we don’t score. As we saw mid-week, Henderson and Wijnaldum are also major threats arriving into the box late. And don’t forget about big Virgil at set pieces (he bagged at Molineux in December).

The challenge for Wolves’ defence will be tracking the movement of the front three while at the same time stopping Robertson and Trent from charging up the wings and whipping dangerous balls across.

Virgil Van Dijk is a threat in both boxes.

JS: You'd probably expect me to say Salah or Mane, and that may be the right answer from a goalscoring perspective.

But they need to have the goals laid on for them and that has mostly come from Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andy Robertson on the flanks.

It was Trent's quick thinking which set up a spectacular winning goal in the Champions League semi final and Robertson has been a regular contributor in terms of assists.

The truth is that Liverpool have weapons all over the pitch, but if you can stop the full backs you'll have a better chance of coming away with a result.

Who has impressed you from this Wolves side this season, from what you've seen of them, could you picture any of the current crop at Molineux cutting it at a club like Liverpool?

HL: Has any Wolves regular not impressed?

I’d only be regurgitating what’s been said elsewhere praising Jimenez, Nevez and co, but in terms of who I’d fancy at Liverpool - Doherty would be a great back-up for the full backs (or allow Trent to move to midfield) and I think Jota would have a lot of fun playing in our attack.

I wouldn’t mind having Jimenez coming off the bench for Firmino too!

I’m also really looking forward to watching Morgan Gibbs-White develop. He’s been brilliant each of the few times I’ve watched him play (admittedly on the TV).

JS: From an attacking perspective Raul Jimenez is the one grabbing the headlines this season, and from what I've seen that is richly deserved.

Diogo Jota is a player I've enjoyed watching on occasion too, so I expect both of them to cause us problems.

Wolves have got quality all over the pitch though, which is rare for a newly promoted side, and I suspect it won't be the walk in the park we'd like it to be on Sunday.

What have you made of Wolves from afar, do you think they have what it takes to battle domestically and in the Europa League next season, should the FA Cup go Man City's way?

HL: Wolves’ league position and success against top teams shows they’ve clearly got enough to mix it with the best. But the low number of players used is both impressive and a little bit worrying. What would have happened if Coady, Jimenez or Nevez got long-term injuries?

It’s going to be a much more gruelling season if they make it into Europe - see the impact qualifying had on Burnley this year - so more players will be needed.

Liverpool are in the Champions League final for the second straight year.

I’m sure Wolves will strengthen, but then so will everybody else. I’d be extremely surprised if Wolves manage to compete for the top six, as every team above them will improve, but then if they do well in the transfer market and remember how to beat teams at the bottom of the table who knows?

Wolves’ style could really suit European football though, so the Europa League could be a lot of fun for the fans.

JS: It's always incredibly hard for teams breaking into the Europa League for the first time to get the balance right with the Thursday-Sunday European and domestic schedule, so unless Wolves can add greater depth in the summer I can see it being something of a culture shock.

They definitely have the quality to perform at that level and with their record against the top six this season, I'm sure they'd be backed to cause an upset.

Your match prediction?

HL: I think either Liverpool will dominate the game and win comfortably as City do the same at Brighton or it’ll be a rollercoaster 90 minutes as Wolves play freely and Liverpool stutter.

Nonetheless I’ll plump for the former and go 3-0 Liverpool.

JS: Anfield will be in high spirits on Sunday, with the supporters wanting to give the players the send off they deserve for their efforts, and I'm sure Klopp will have his players primed to return the favour.

I do expect Wolves to give us a game, but I'll go with a 2-0 home win.

You can follow Harry on Twitter here, whilst The Anfield Wrap are found here.