LFC v Wolves – Carroll, Adam, Downing and Henderson return
Kenny Dalglish has gone back to by and large the same Liverpool team that lost last weekend to Spurs for today’s home game against Wolves.
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Daniel Agger’s rib injury means he’s out for several weeks and so Kenny has moved Skrtel into the centre of defence (a position he’s far better at than right-back) bringing Martin Kelly in at full-back. Kelly played full-back during the week in the League Cup, his first match since going off injured against Bolton last month. John Flanagan keeps his place on the bench from midweek, Sebastian Coates drops back to the bench.
No start today for the goalscorers during the week, Andy Carroll gets another start alongside Suarez but knows that Bellamy and Kuyt are waiting on the sidelines if he’s unable to produce the goods.
Charlie Adam is given an opportunity to get back on track and build on the promise he was showing in earlier fixtures this season for the Reds. He does that in the knowledge that Steven Gerrard is raring to go, the captain is still being eased back and is likely get a run out towards the end of the game.
Downing is back for his 250th Premier League appearance, Jordan Henderson also recalled having missed the League Cup game.
Wolves have recalled skipper Roger Johnson but Steven Fletcher is on the bench after both have been out injured. Adam Hammill, one-time Liverpool academy player, is on the bench for Wolves.
Liverpool lost this fixture 1-0 last season, under Roy Hodgson, but have won 13 of their last 15 home games against Wolves. Liverpool won the away game last season after Kenny’s return as boss.Wolves won 1-0 on their last visit to Anfield in December 2010 – the return at Molineux in January gave Kenny Dalglish the first win of his second spell as Liverpool boss.
Liverpool have let in seven goals in their five Premier League games so far – coincidentally the same number as conceded in the past two seasons after the same number of games.
Wolves haven’t scored for 315 minutes in the Premier League but are unbeaten in their last four away league games. They’ve not kept many clean sheets away from home this year – just two (both against Aston Villa) since beating the Reds 1-0 last December.
* The draw for the next round of the League Cup sees LFC go back to Stoke City.
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll
Subs: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Spearing, Gerrard, Bellamy, Kuyt.
Wolves: Hennessey, Stearman, Ward, Johnson, Berra, Edwards, Henry, Hunt, Jarvis, O’Hara, Doyle
Subs: De Vries, Elokobi, Doherty, Hammill, Milijas, Guedioura, Fletcher
Referee: Kevin Friend
TV Coverage:
As with all 3pm Saturday kick-offs this game is not being shown in the UK. It is being shown elsewhere in the world, including the USA, where FoxSoccer.TV are streaming the game live. You must have a US IP address in order to watch the FoxSoccer.TV stream, you can do this by using a US VPN which gives you a US IP address.
UK: Live radio commentary only.
US: Live on FoxSoccer.TV – Watch online. Get a US IP Address.
Great game. My only concern is Henderson. Dalglish seems to be playing him because of the money spent rather than the qualities hes bringing to the team. Kuyt played better than him even though he came on as a sub. Wheres Maxi gone?