'Really bad' - Chris Sutton sends strong Liverpool vs…

'Really bad' - Chris Sutton sends strong Liverpool vs Wolves prediction as pundits agree

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday as they travel to Molineux for a third clash with Wolves in a month.

The Reds progressed at the expense of Julen Lopetegui's side in the FA Cup replay after Harvey Elliott's effort was the difference. Domestically, things are different for both teams - Liverpool sit 10 points off the Champions League places and the Midlands outfit are spared a place in the relegation zone on goal difference.

There was glimpses of promise against Brighton & Hove Albion last week but it wasn't enough as a stoppage-time Kaoru Mitoma winner ended their hopes of defending the domestic cup competition.

Jurgen Klopp's side are winless in the Premier League in 2023 after defeats to Brentford and Brighton with their last outing in the league ending goalless against Chelsea.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez will need to be called upon as they look to kickstart the second half of their campaign. However, the pundits were in agreement that their hopes of Liverpool are faint.

Paul Merson - Sports Keeda

Speaking to Sports Keeda, Merson said: "Liverpool defeated Wolves comfortably in the FA Cup, but they need to get going in the Premier League.

"They played a lot of high-pressure games last season, and it's caught up with them. They're paying the toll with injuries and a lack of form, and they're in a bad space at the moment.

"Wolves are going to make it hard for Liverpool and will try to get something out of this Premier League game. I like their manager, and I think they'll pull off a draw this weekend."

Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Liverpool

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

"I don't think Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp can afford many more losses and the level of performance is the worry with the Reds at the moment," he has predicted in his BBC Sports column pulling no punches.

"Based on performance levels, what we are seeing now is a shadow of the side that were winning game after game when they were fighting for the title with Manchester City 12 months ago.

"We are at the stage where, last week, I could say with an element of confidence that Brighton were not just going to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup, they would also outplay them - and cause them problems and create chances, just like they did when they beat them in the league earlier in January.

"Lots of you agreed with me too - out of more than 32,000 votes, 53% of you went for a Seagulls victory.

"What happens next? Well, Liverpool did beat Wolves in the FA Cup last month, but only after a replay when a VAR error saved their bacon late in the first game.

"Both teams made lots of changes too, so it is hard to read too much into what happened in either game when it comes to calling this one.

"It would be easy to think Liverpool's poor run will continue; I certainly don't see them bouncing back like they used to under Klopp.

"They are really bad defensively - but I actually think they will be helped by Wolves' lack of creativity. I don't trust Wolves to score and that might mean Liverpool escape with a draw."

Prediction: Wolves 0-0 Liverpool

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

Speaking to Paddy Power, Lawrenson said: "I’ll be at this game and Liverpool have lots of injury worries. It’s been really interesting because they had two clean sheets before that Brighton game.

"Yes, that was another defeat, but the performance wasn’t that bad. They could have run away with it in the first half. Julen Lopetegui‘s done a good job and these two have played each other a lot recently. I’m going to go for a draw, Wolves just don’t score many goals."

Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Liverpool

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