Liverpool predicted line-up vs. Wolves with two big changes amid £64m striker fitness fears

Liverpool have had a strange start to the season, with their unbeaten start and 10-point haul masking some rather unconvincing performances – but a visit to Molineux and a game against Wolves gives them the opportunity to put together a more coherent performance.

The visit to the Midlands will be the early kick-off on Saturday, with a 12:30 BST start for Jürgen Klopp’s side – and the German head coach, having batted away speculation that he could take over the national side follow Hansi Flick’s dismissal, has a few potential selection headaches to deal with.

Let’s look at all the latest team news and injury updates for the Reds as they look to pick up their fourth win on the bounce. Klopp does have a European fixture to contend with this week, so there may be some additional rotation ahead of Thursday’s Europa League group stage opener against Austrian outfit LASK.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out of England duty with a hamstring problem and despite being pictured in training this week, Klopp has confirmed that he will not play against Wolves. Fellow injury victim Ibrahima Konaté, who missed the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, has also trained. No confirmation has been provided as to his match readiness yet, but he could well feature and may well be sorely needed.

Another defender who will definitely miss out is Virgil van Dijk, who will serve an additional one-match ban for berating the referee following the first red card of his Liverpool career against Newcastle United. Joël Matip and Joe Gomez started the game against Villa, but Konaté is likely to play if he is ready.

Midfield

New signing Ryan Gravenberch is ready for action following his move from Bayern Munich, although he is likely to start on the bench having played just nine minutes for the German giants before his transfer. The 21-year-old made himself unavailable for the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 qualifiers this past week in order to focus on rebuilding his match fitness, and it’s fair to assume that remains an ongoing process.

Thiago Alcântara is reportedly back in training having not played since April thanks to a hip problem, but is very unlikely to start as he looks to rebuild his own physical condition after his latest long-term injury. Wataru Endo will compete with Alexis Mac Allister for the defensive midfield role, although there has been some speculation that Japan’s Endo could play in central defence if Konaté is not fully fit.

Forwards

Darwin Núñez was substituted at half-time in Uruguay’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Ecuador, and national coach Marcelo Bielsa later explained that the striker had “muscular difficulties” – no further updates have been provided, but the striker must be considered a doubt for the game against Wolves.

The other forwards all came through the international break unscathed, so Klopp may otherwise have a full slate of players to pick from up top as he continues to work out his preferred attacking set-up. Calls for Scottish youngster Ben Doak to be given a start are more likely to be heeded in midweek.

Full predicted line-up vs. Wolves

Alisson; Robertson, Konaté, Matip, Gomez; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Díaz, Gakpo, Salah.