If you know anything about Jurgen Klopp, you’ll know there’s few things in football he likes less than FA Cup replays.
Sadly for the Liverpool boss, that’s what awaits him at Molineux on Tuesday, and if he isn’t prepared, things could get messy.
The German might be at a point of no return, at least as far as this season goes, with another potential cup exit and Chelsea to come at the weekend.
Liverpool could soon be all but ruled out of the top four race if they add to a rough 3-0 loss to Brighton last time out, of which Klopp said, ‘I can’t remember a worse game’.
On top of that, they have already exited the Carabao Cup at the hands of Manchester City, while in Europe, Real Madrid await – a team that more than have Liverpool’s number.
That means that not only does the Wolves clash – live on talkSPORT – represent potentially a final chance of glory, but a last chance to turn around a faltering season and wrestle back the narrative.
Things won’t come easy for Klopp and Liverpool though, with a strong side at Anfield for the first game lucky to survive.
The Reds needed a kink in the rules for Mohamed Salah’s simple 2-1 tap-in, and somehow made it through a bizarre late offside call, when a lack of camera angles denied a Wolves winner.
The Midlands side appear to be showing a new level of resilience under the recently appointed Julen Lopetegui, and crowned that with a win over West Ham at the weekend.
However, Liverpool are still strong favourites, if they take things seriously.
Klopp suggested as much in his pre-match press conference, saying: “We go as strong as we can.
“Not all players who played the last game are available now, for different reasons.
“We will make changes, that’s clear. We need fresh legs. We have to make decisions about the lineup and we will.”
On injuries he added: “There’s progress with everyone. Darwin [Nunez] is very close but it’s Monday and tomorrow is the game. [James] Milner and [Stefan] Bajcetic trained. That’s it.”
He also commented that he has ‘two senior strikers available’ which would suggest Salah and winter signing Cody Gakpo, with Nunez likely to be a risk.
However, that may inadvertently solve a problem for Liverpool, who could be forced to change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2.
That served them well their biggest result of the season, a 1-0 win against Man City at Anfield, and although Klopp doesn’t like the less free flowing football it brings, it offers cover for the fullbacks and less space for opponents like Brighton to exploit.
Predicted Liverpool XI
Liverpool’s two fit forwards, Salah and Gakpo, are at their best coming in from either side shown in this formation, while the Dutchman shone at the World Cup as a striker.
Meanwhile in midfield, James Milner is rested, and may be able to put in the kind of shift many simply weren’t up to against Brighton.
Alongside him, Naby Keita has the chance to nail down a spot in the line-up, and impress suitors ahead of a summer move.
Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are often relied upon when Klopp wants fresh legs, with Ibrahima Konate getting a post-World Cup break.
Meanwhile, Fabio Carvalho could make a return to the line-up after a spell on the bench, and be given the chance to shine on the left wing.
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