As Liverpool gears up to face Wolves at Anfield, excitement is in the air, especially with Federico Chiesa eager to make a rare start. This match marks a new chapter for Liverpool as they will be without Alexander Isak, who suffered a severe leg injury during the game against Tottenham last weekend, an unfortunate turn of events given his recent £125 million acquisition.
In this challenging situation, manager Arne Slot is feeling the pressure, particularly with his attacking options dwindling. However, there is a silver lining: Florian Wirtz has returned to full fitness, easing some concerns about the squad's depth.
On the flip side, Mohamed Salah will miss this match due to his commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Cody Gakpo's availability remains uncertain, as Slot has placed him at a precarious "50-50" for fitness. This opens the door for Chiesa, who might just earn his first Premier League start of the season, having only featured twice previously—in the Carabao Cup.
Defensive worries also linger, as Ibrahima Konate was notably absent from training sessions leading up to the match, raising questions about his health. Should Konate be unable to play, Andrew Robertson may need to step into a central defensive role, which adds another layer of complexity to the team dynamics.
Additionally, Dominik Szoboszlai will serve a suspension, leaving Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones likely to fill roles among the five attackers supporting striker Hugo Ekitike.
Jeremie Frimpong, who recently made his return from a two-month layoff, participated as a substitute against Spurs and could potentially start at right-back if Conor Bradley, who is also facing fitness issues, cannot go. In discussing Frimpong, Slot stated, "He was limited to a maximum of 30 minutes last weekend due to his long absence, but I believe he can start this weekend if I decide to go that route."
As for the goalkeeper position, Alisson is set to guard the net, flanked by Virgil van Dijk and possibly Konate—if he recovers in time. Milos Kerkez will maintain his spot at left-back, while Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni remain on the sidelines due to injuries.
Here’s how the predicted Liverpool lineup might look in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenbech, Jones; Chiesa, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Injuries are impacting the squad significantly, with Isak, Endo, Gomez, and Leoni all unavailable. Furthermore, doubts loom over Bradley and Gakpo, while Szoboszlai sits out due to suspension, and Salah is away on international duty.
Mark your calendars for this thrilling encounter, scheduled for 3 PM GMT on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Will Chiesa rise to the occasion? How will Liverpool adapt to these challenges? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
