Liverpool v Wolves predictions: Bench strength should give Reds the edge

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

Where to watch

ITV4, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Draw-Liverpool double result
1pt 16-5 Betfair, Hills

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Team news

Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk has joined Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Arthur in the treatment room. Jordan Henderson should be available, Roberto Firmino and James Milner are doubts and Cody Gakpo is set to make his debut.

Wolves
Daniel Podence is a doubt and Boubacar Traore, Chiquinho, Pedro Neto and Sasa Kalajdzic are ruled out.

Match preview

Punters after a Saturday TV treble are likely to get behind Liverpool, Newcastle and Leicester in their FA Cup third-round ties against Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday and Gillingham, and Jurgen Klopp's Reds should fulfil their part of the puzzle, although they may need to show some patience before advancing to the next round.

Wolves make the trip to Anfield with increased confidence after performing well in Wednesday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Aston Villa but they still face a daunting task.

Julen Lopetegui's side remain in the relegation zone and their top priority will be to arrive in the best possible mental and physical state for next Saturday's key encounter at home to West Ham.

The Midlands outfit must negotiate two knockout matches before taking on the Hammers and it would be understandable if they send out a stronger team for next Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final at Nottingham Forest than for the contest against Liverpool.

A lack of firepower has been a major issue for Wolves, who have scored just 11 goals in 18 Premier League games.

Free agent signing Diego Costa has made ten appearances without scoring but usually gets the nod over Raul Jimenez, who has bagged just six goals in 38 league appearances since suffering a serious head injury in November 2020.

It may be the case that neither can be trusted with firing Wolves to safety and additional recruits might have to be sought before the transfer window shuts.

Wolves' lack of threat will come as a relief to Liverpool, who are adjusting to the loss of Virgil van Dijk after he appeared to suffer a hamstring strain in Monday's 3-1 loss at Brentford.

Liverpool struggled with and without the Dutchman in west London and Klopp could not conceal his frustration over the course of the game.

However, Liverpool had won their previous four league games and, in terms of their post-World Cup performances, the disappointing display at Brentford was an outlier.

Their squad should be stronger for the weekend with Jordan Henderson back in the frame and new signing Cody Gakpo looking forward to his first appearance.

And while Klopp will be mindful of limiting the workload of some of his senior men, he should come up with a winning formula.

Klopp may deploy a similar strategy to last month's EFL Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester City, where he started with a youthful side and finished with a much more experienced line-up.

Liverpool were beaten 3-2 at the Etihad despite a much-improved second performance.

An easier task is in store against Wolves and while the scores could be level at the break, a home win looks the likeliest outcome.

Key stat

Wolves have been level at the break in each of their last three defeats

Inside info

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah/Darwin Nunez
Assist ace Andy Robertson
Set-piece aerial threat Darwin Nunez
Card magnet Joe Gomez

Wolves

Penalty taker Ruben Neves
Assist ace Ruben Neves
Set-piece aerial threat Diego Costa
Card magnet Ruben Neves

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