Liverpool is set to host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Saturday, December 27, in a crucial Premier League fixture. Under manager Arne Slot, Liverpool are aiming for their third consecutive league victory, having recently secured wins against Brighton and Tottenham. This match comes as they seek to inject further life into a season that has shown glimpses of recovery after earlier struggles, with a focus on building momentum towards a top-four position.

In stark contrast, Wolves arrive at Anfield in a perilous state, rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just two points from 17 games. Their season has been marked by misery for fans, enduring a ten-game losing streak in the league, often failing to truly threaten their opposition. Despite occasional glimpses of resilience, such as a last-gasp defeat to Arsenal, their overall form paints a bleak picture.

The Reds, however, face a significant challenge due to a substantial injury and absence crisis. Key players like Mohamed Salah (AFCON), Dominik Szoboszlai (suspended), Alexander Isak (ankle surgery, out), Wataru Endo (knock, out), and Joe Gomez (hamstring, out) are unavailable. Additionally, Cody Gakpo, Conor Bradley, and Ibrahima Konaté are all doubtful with knocks. This situation could leave Liverpool with a severely depleted squad, potentially just 11 fit senior players and only one senior centre-back available. Manager Arne Slot has expressed hope for the availability of players like Bradley and Gakpo, but the depth issues are undeniable, opening a potential window of opportunity for the struggling Wolves side.

Wolves are also not without their own availability concerns. Emmanuel Agbadou and Tawanda Chirewa are away on AFCON duty, while Daniel Bentley (ankle), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (hamstring), Marshall Munetsi (calf), and Rodrigo Gomes (groin) are sidelined with injuries. Hugo Bueno and Toti Gomes are also doubtful. Despite these challenges, Wolves' new boss Rob Edwards will be looking for his team to capitalize on Liverpool's disruptions.

One critical tactical area for Wolves to exploit is Liverpool's vulnerability to set-pieces. Throughout the season, Liverpool has shown defensive frailties in these situations, conceding 11 goals from set-pieces in the league. With Ibrahima Konaté doubtful, Liverpool's defence may lack crucial height, making them even more susceptible to high balls into the box. Wolves, with physically imposing players like Jorgen Strand Larsen, Tolu Arokodare, and Ladislav Krejcí, could make set-pieces a cornerstone of their strategy to seek their elusive first league win, taking advantage of what has been an inconsistent Liverpool record at Anfield.

On the attacking front for Liverpool, Florian Wirtz has finally found his rhythm after a challenging start to his Premier League career following a big-money summer move. Wirtz has become increasingly influential, notably assisting Alexander Isak's opening goal in a previous game against Spurs (prior to Isak's current injury). Slot's system changes have allowed Wirtz to thrive in his preferred inside-left channel, fostering strong combinations with teammates like Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones, and Hugo Ekitike. While still awaiting his first Liverpool goal, a home fixture against the league's bottom team presents an ideal opportunity.

Conversely, Wolves continue to struggle up front. Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was integral last season, has managed only one goal in 15 league games this term, and recently missed a penalty against Brentford. With Matheus Cunha's departure, the team's attacking output has suffered. Tolu Arokodare, while a substitute, did score against Arsenal recently, offering a potential boost in confidence for Rob Edwards to consider his striking options.

Despite their recent wins, Liverpool's performances have been far from convincing. Against Tottenham, they conceded more expected goals (xG) than they created, even with a man advantage. Similarly, high xG conceded against Brighton and Leeds indicates ongoing defensive concerns. Arne Slot's stated aim of making the team more solid has yet to fully translate into dominant displays. However, with upcoming fixtures against Wolves, Leeds, and Fulham, securing maximum points will be crucial for establishing a platform and confidence for the second half of the season, particularly in their push for a top-four finish.

The historical head-to-head record heavily favors Liverpool, who have won 16 of the last 17 league meetings against Wolves. Given Liverpool's momentum and Wolves' struggles, betting predictions strongly lean towards a comfortable home win for Liverpool, with over 2.5 goals expected in the match, and Hugo Ekitike tipped as an anytime goalscorer due to his current form and relentless movement.

Possible starting lineups for the match are: Liverpool (4-3-3) with Mamardashvili; Kerkez, Dijk, Konaté, Bradley; Gravenberch, Allister, Jones; Wirtz, Ekitike, Chiesa. Wolves (4-4-2) are expected to field Johnstone; Hoever, Mosquera, Krejcí, Bueno; Gomes, André, López, Wolfe; Hee-Chan, Larsen. The match will not be broadcast in the UK but will be available on NBC Sports in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia, with live updates also provided by ESPN.