Mark Lawrenson is backing Liverpool to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 this afternoon.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Liverpool will beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 in the FA Cup this afternoon.
The Reds head into the game having lost 1-0 at home to Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening, continuing the recent poor form for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
That home defeat to Southampton means that it’s now just one win in 2017 so far – and that came in their FA Cup replay against League Two side Plymouth Argyle.
A general view inside Anfield
They’re now into the fourth round of the competition, and will be desperate to grab a home win having been beaten twice at Anfield over the last week, losing to Swansea and Southampton.
Today’s opponents are Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, who dumped Premier League side Stoke City out of the competition in the previous round.
Paul Lambert – who visited Reds boss Klopp during his time at former club Borussia Dortmund – takes his side to Anfield this afternoon in the hope of another cup upset, but head into the game having lost 3-1 at Norwich City last weekend.
Mark Lawrenson
Ahead of this afternoon’s clash, pundit and former Liverpool hero Mark Lawrenson has offered his verdict to BBC Sport, suggesting that Liverpool will win the game 2-1 – but he clearly isn’t happy with the club’s recent form.
Lawrenson suggested that Liverpool’s attack has been blunted, and not just by the absence of winger Sadio Mane, who is currently playing with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Lawrenson thinks that whilst Liverpool are lacking confidence and Wolves will head to Anfield and give them a game, the Reds will squeeze into the next round with a 2-1 victory.
“Liverpool have lost the attacking edge they had earlier in the season and it is not just down to Sadio Mane being away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Lawrenson. “They have scored only five goals in their past six matches – talk about having a dry January. Yes, they do miss Mane, but there is more to it than that. Opposition teams have seen how Liverpool always try to cut inside or play quick one-twos when they come forward, and they are ready for it now.”
“The Reds are on a run of one win in seven games in all competitions, and that came in a replay against a League Two side, Plymouth. They are lacking in confidence, and the whole team is not playing well. They are up against a Championship team who won at Stoke in the third round. Wolves will bring a load of fans to Anfield and have a real go.”
“But Klopp probably expected to beat Southampton on Wednesday and reach the EFL Cup final – if they had done that, he would have played a much weaker team in this game. I think he will make sure there is some experience in his line-up and I think Liverpool will get through – although it could be quite a nervy win,” he added.
What’s your prediction for Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers?
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