Wolves vs Liverpool: Premier League Clash Insights from Anfield Index Podcast
The Premier League showdown between Wolves and Liverpool is set to ignite Molineux, with both clubs coming into the fixture under distinct pressures. In a recent episode of the Rival Recon podcast on Anfield Index, Hari Sethi was joined by Dave Azzopardi of Talking Wolves to delve into the current state of Wolves under Gary O’Neil and what Liverpool, now under the leadership of Arne Slot, should expect.
Wolves’ Battle for Stability Amidst Managerial Changes
Wolves, who secured Premier League safety last season, are now facing a tough campaign under new boss Gary O’Neil. According to Dave Azzopardi, Wolves’ final whistle at Anfield last season marked “a sigh of relief” after a challenging campaign that saw the club scrape to safety. Azzopardi added, “It felt like a long old season last year,” and reflected on the tumultuous start caused by the late departure of former manager Bruno Lage, which left O’Neil with little preparation.
O’Neil had earned plaudits early on, with Wolves even seen as potential European contenders by mid-season. However, Azzopardi noted that the club’s momentum faltered: “We started losing a lot of players, and the squad depth was all over the place.” Wolves’ inconsistency became evident as they “crawled across the finish line in the end.”
Fast forward to the current season, Azzopardi highlighted that the Wolves fanbase had anticipated a difficult campaign, noting that despite Gary O’Neil’s efforts, it has “not really gone the way Wolves wanted it to.”
Photo: IMAGO
The Challenge Ahead Against Liverpool
Liverpool, now under Arne Slot after the departure of long-time manager Jürgen Klopp in May 2024, have shown glimpses of their former attacking prowess but remain in a period of transition. Dave Azzopardi shared his thoughts on the challenge facing Wolves, saying, “We’ve had some very good moments in games, but in the Premier League, if you don’t take advantage of those moments, you’re going to get punished.”
Azzopardi admitted that while Wolves have shown flashes of quality in their early fixtures, “losing points from winning positions” has been a recurrent issue. He recalled Wolves’ recent 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, where they were ahead and “cruising” at halftime before a “complete shift in tactics” led to a defensive collapse.
Wolves’ Squad Depth Woes
One of the critical challenges facing Wolves is squad depth, particularly in defence and attack. Azzopardi explained that injuries have left Wolves with only “two senior fit centre-backs,” which severely limits Gary O’Neil’s tactical flexibility. He added that Wolves had expected “Moscara to be a like-for-like replacement” for the outgoing Max Kilman, but the defender’s recent injury has compounded their defensive struggles.
In attack, the situation is similarly concerning. The departure of Fabio Silva and the injury to Sasha Kalajdzic have left Wolves lacking a reliable striker. Although Wolves brought in some young talents, Azzopardi was clear that fans are frustrated: “We just needed some sort of stability until we had a really good core squad.”
Liverpool’s Potential to Capitalize
Liverpool, with their wealth of attacking talent and Slot’s dynamic style of play, will undoubtedly look to exploit Wolves’ vulnerabilities. Azzopardi pointed out that Liverpool’s strength is their ability to punish teams that lack consistency, a problem Wolves have been grappling with since the start of the season. With players like Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai in the mix, the Reds can be lethal on the break and in open play.
However, Liverpool are also navigating their own challenges. Azzopardi mentioned that the departure of Klopp left “a weird stage of denial” among Liverpool fans, but Slot has slowly started to impose his philosophy on the team. Liverpool’s inconsistent performances under Slot’s tenure mean Wolves could still pose a threat, especially if they manage to capitalize on their moments of dominance.
Conclusion: A Critical Fixture for Wolves
As Wolves prepare to face Liverpool, the stakes are high for Gary O’Neil, whose side has managed just one win in their last 16 league games. Azzopardi noted that after a string of tough fixtures, including games against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, this match is critical. “Football’s not played on paper,” he said, “but if Wolves lose against Liverpool and then to Manchester City, O’Neil’s position could be under serious threat.”
For Liverpool, this game presents a chance to build momentum under Slot and keep pace with the Premier League’s top teams. As Azzopardi put it, “It’s not getting any easier for Gary,” and Wolves will need to produce something special to secure a positive result against a resurgent Liverpool side.
