Liverpool welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield on Saturday for a Premier League Matchday 18 fixture with very different pressures on both sides. According to SoftFootball, Arne Slot has described the festive Anfield atmosphere as a special tradition as Liverpool look to end 2025 on a positive note despite ongoing challenges.
The build-up has been dominated by Liverpool’s growing injury list. Record signing Alexander Isak is facing months on the sidelines after undergoing ankle surgery, a major blow confirmed by SoftFootball, while Mohamed Salah is away with Egypt at AFCON.
Team News
Liverpool are also without Dominik Szoboszlai due to suspension, while Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo remain doubtful. Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and young defender Giovanni Leoni are still sidelined. There is some relief as Florian Wirtz is fit to start after avoiding serious injury.
Wolves continue to battle absences of their own, with Toti unavailable and several players nursing muscle issues, though no fresh concerns have emerged.
History heavily favours Liverpool. The Reds have won 16 of the last 17 league meetings, with Wolves’ only success in that run coming over a decade ago. Anfield has been especially unforgiving for the visitors in recent seasons.
Liverpool come into the match unbeaten in six games in all competitions and have won three in a row, showing signs of stability after a mixed start to the campaign. Wolves, by contrast, are at the bottom of the table with just two points from 17 matches and are winless in 21 Premier League games, a run that has piled pressure on Rob Edwards.
Slot reflected on Liverpool’s progress in a post shared on the club’s official X account, acknowledging areas for improvement despite six unbeaten games. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and emphasised the need to stay united and adapt to injuries while aiming to finish 2025 positively against Wolves.
He noted:
The fact that we are now unbeaten in our last six matches after a very difficult spell tells us that we are on the right road so now we need to take the next steps.
Van Dijk, in a post shared on the club’s official X account, also wished fans a Merry Christmas, reflected on the club’s highs and lows over the year, including Diogo Jota’s passing, and stressed focus on ending 2025 strongly against Wolves, relying on unity and supporters’ backing.
He said:
Let’s finish the year on a high.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Wolves (3-5-2): Sa; S Bueno, Mosquera, Doherty; Hoever, J Gomes, Andre, Krejci, Wolfe; Arokodare, Hwang.
SoftFootball’s Prediction
Given Liverpool’s home strength and Wolves’ struggles, SoftFootball expects the Reds to control the game. Injuries may slow them early, but quality should tell.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Wolves.
