Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 25
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Kick-off is at 16h00 CAT
Liverpool will be looking to put their FA Cup disappointment behind them when they welcome Wolves to Anfield on Sunday, February 16.
The Reds became the only the fourth Premier League leaders to lose to lower-division opposition in the famous competition after being beaten 1-0 by Plymouth in the fourth round on February 9.
It came just three days after Arne Slot's side had reached a record 15th EFL Cup final after they overturned a 1-0 deficit to thump Tottenham 4-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals.
The Merseysiders had maintained their six-point cushion at the league summit with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on February 1 which extended their unbeaten run to an impressive 19 games.
Arsenal remain their closest challengers after routing Manchester City 5-1 on February 2 to stay three points clear of Nottingham Forest, who demolished Brighton 7-0 the previous day.
The Old Gold arrested a worrying four-match losing streak with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on February 1 to climb out of the relegation zone as they opened up a two-point gap to Leicester (18th) in 17th position.
It was their first clean sheet in five league outings since they beat Manchester United by the same scoreline on December 26.
Vítor Pereira's side are still very much in danger of being relegated though, as Everton recorded their third straight win to pull seven points clear of them in 16th spot.
Suggested photo: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Slot has an almost-fully fit squad at his disposal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both slight doubts with thigh injuries. Pereira has no such luxury as he remains without Yerson Mosquera, Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic (all knee) and Hwang Hee-Chan (thigh), although Jorgen Strand Larsen (knee) and Boubacar Traore (illness) could come back into contention.
Slot felt his team deserved to lose to the Pilgrims after barely creating any chances in the cup-tie at Home Park, although he took encouragement from the fighting spirit of his players.
"The result is obvious, it's a big disappointment, and the way we played [there] wasn't a lot to be happy about as well," the Dutchman said.
"The only thing I was happy about is that the boys kept on fighting for 100 minutes and probably the best part of our game were the last 10 minutes. So, that tells you that they kept on fighting.
"But credit to them (Plymouth), a good game plan, they worked incredibly hard and they got a penalty that was deserved, because it was a clear penalty; a correct decision.
"The goalkeeper made one or two good saves in the end, but we hardly created anything at all."
Suggested photo: Matheus Cunha of Wolves
Pereira is keen to keep the momentum going after his team ran out 2-0 victors over Blackburn in the FA Cup fourth round on February 9 to record back-to-back wins for only the third time this season.
"For me, when I come to play this kind of game, for me, it's another game, and another game that I want to see my team improving from the last game. Our conversation was about what is possible," the Portuguese said.
"We played a strong match against Aston Villa, but if you don't come here with the same spirit in the end of the game, you will not have an answer for this.
"It means that this is the moment to increase the level game after game, giving chances for other players to play, to give them the confidence, to show them that I have confidence in them, and it's a pity that I didn't have the chance to give more chances for more and more players."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool wins - 4
Wolves wins - 1
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 25 fixtures:
Friday, February 14
22h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea
Saturday, February 15
14h30: Leicester City v Arsenal
17h00: Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
17h00: Fulham v Nottingham Forest
17h00: Manchester City v Newcastle United
17h00: Southampton v Bournemouth
17h00: West Ham United v Brentford
19h30: Crystal Palace v Everton
Sunday, February 16
16h00: Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
18h30: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United