Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview
Anfield
Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Liverpool\'s annus horribilis continued with a loss to Portsmouth last weekend. Javier Mascherano suffered a knee injury that is likely to keep him out for three to four weeks, just long enough, coincidentally, to cover the four match suspension he earned for being red-carded in the same incident. Anfield is an unhappy place at the moment and manager Rafa Benitez will be looking for the Wolves match to provide some much needed Christmas cheer. They\'re likely to need it, as their next match is away on Tuesday to on-form Aston Villa.
Mick McCarthy\'s controversial decision to rest his first team squad against Manchester United paid off last weekend when Wolves beat Burnley 2-0 at home. Happily vindicated, McCarthy must also be delighted with the post-rest form of forwards Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake whose exploits against Burnley replicated the effectiveness they had shown in the win over Tottenham three weeks ago. Liverpool is clearly a vulnerable side. So too is Manchester City, whom Wolves host on Monday, and who\'s new manager, Roberto Mancini, reportedly faces some back-room disquiet among some of his players. Mick McCarthy\'s men have shown they can be dangerous and they have the potential for two good results leading into the new year. Watch Liverpool vs Wolves live on Saturday December 26th, 2009
