Wolverhampton Wanderers play host to Liverpool in the Premier League this week, with both sides needing points for very different reasons.
Only goal difference separates Wolves from the relegation zone, as they have failed to pick up a win in any of their last five games in all competitions.
The Black Country club's last outing resulted in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, Ronald Zubar's late goal preventing what would have been an embarrassing FA Cup exit.
Mick McCarthy rested much of his first team for that clash, meaning he will expect a fresh and fired-up group of player to take the pitch when the Reds come to town on Tuesday night.
Rafael Benitez's men claimed the spoils when these two teams met on Boxing Day, but the resurgence many expected after their win against Aston Villa in the following fixture hasn't quite come to pass.
Championship strugglers Reading ended Liverpool's FA Cup run at the first hurdle (albeit via replay) - an outcome which, coupled with the draw that followed at Stoke City, brought the doomsayers out in full force.
But as they've done so often this term, the Anfield giants bounced back last week with a rousing 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to stay in touch with their fellow Champions League chasers.
Now Liverpool must take the next step towards something resembling a run of good form, and that means three points at Molineux - an achievable task, as Wolves have won there just three times this season.
FORM GUIDE
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jan 23: Wolverhampton 2-2 Crystal Palace (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Wolverhampton 0-2 Wigan Athletic
Jan 3: Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wolverhampton (FA Cup)
Dec 28: Wolverhampton 0-3 Manchester City
Dec 26: Liverpool 2-0 Wolverhampton
Liverpool
Jan 20: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Jan 16: Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool
Jan 13: Liverpool 1-2 Reading (FA Cup) (aet)
Jan 2: Reading 1-1 Liverpool (FA Cup)
Dec 29: Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
Wolverhampton Wanderers
McCarthy made big changes to his starting line-up for the clash with Crystal Palace; some forced, and some purely in anticipation of Liverpool's visit.
Full-back Richard Stearman should return from suspension, while the likes of Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle, Jody Craddock and Stephen Ward will expect to reclaim their starting spots.
Andrew Keogh, David Edwards, Stefan Maierhofer and Michael Kightly are all carrying injuries.
Last starting XI (vs. Crystal Palace): Hennessey, Foley, Mancienne, Zubar, Berra, Elokobi, Henry, Jones, Surman, Ebanks-Blake, Vokes.
Liverpool
The attacking triumvirate of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun remains out of action, the latter two players having scored in the reverse fixture.
Dirk Kuyt or David Ngog will deputise up top, most likely with Alberto Aquilani in behind, while wing-back Philipp Degen could be pushed forward again.
New boy Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel will be pushing for starts, while Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Nabil El Zhar are all sidelined.
Last starting XI (vs. Tottenham Hotspur): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Degen, Aquilani, Riera, Kuyt.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Kevin Doyle
Some touted the Irishman as a flash-in-the-pan when he stormed onto the scene with Reading, but he is showing this season that he can trouble any Premier League defence. If Wolves are to obtain a result against the Reds, odds are that their leading goalscorer will be responsible.
Liverpool - Alberto Aquilani
'Aquaman' handed his doubters a big, fat slice of humble pie on his last outing, flourishing in the trequartista role as he steered his side to victory against Spurs. He and every Kopite will be eager for an encore showing.
Only goal difference separates Wolves from the relegation zone, as they have failed to pick up a win in any of their last five games in all competitions.
The Black Country club's last outing resulted in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, Ronald Zubar's late goal preventing what would have been an embarrassing FA Cup exit.
Mick McCarthy rested much of his first team for that clash, meaning he will expect a fresh and fired-up group of player to take the pitch when the Reds come to town on Tuesday night.
Rafael Benitez's men claimed the spoils when these two teams met on Boxing Day, but the resurgence many expected after their win against Aston Villa in the following fixture hasn't quite come to pass.
Championship strugglers Reading ended Liverpool's FA Cup run at the first hurdle (albeit via replay) - an outcome which, coupled with the draw that followed at Stoke City, brought the doomsayers out in full force.
But as they've done so often this term, the Anfield giants bounced back last week with a rousing 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to stay in touch with their fellow Champions League chasers.
Now Liverpool must take the next step towards something resembling a run of good form, and that means three points at Molineux - an achievable task, as Wolves have won there just three times this season.
FORM GUIDE
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jan 23: Wolverhampton 2-2 Crystal Palace (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Wolverhampton 0-2 Wigan Athletic
Jan 3: Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wolverhampton (FA Cup)
Dec 28: Wolverhampton 0-3 Manchester City
Dec 26: Liverpool 2-0 Wolverhampton
Liverpool
Jan 20: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Jan 16: Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool
Jan 13: Liverpool 1-2 Reading (FA Cup) (aet)
Jan 2: Reading 1-1 Liverpool (FA Cup)
Dec 29: Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
Wolverhampton Wanderers
McCarthy made big changes to his starting line-up for the clash with Crystal Palace; some forced, and some purely in anticipation of Liverpool's visit.
Full-back Richard Stearman should return from suspension, while the likes of Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle, Jody Craddock and Stephen Ward will expect to reclaim their starting spots.
Andrew Keogh, David Edwards, Stefan Maierhofer and Michael Kightly are all carrying injuries.
Last starting XI (vs. Crystal Palace): Hennessey, Foley, Mancienne, Zubar, Berra, Elokobi, Henry, Jones, Surman, Ebanks-Blake, Vokes.
Liverpool
The attacking triumvirate of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun remains out of action, the latter two players having scored in the reverse fixture.
Dirk Kuyt or David Ngog will deputise up top, most likely with Alberto Aquilani in behind, while wing-back Philipp Degen could be pushed forward again.
New boy Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel will be pushing for starts, while Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Nabil El Zhar are all sidelined.
Last starting XI (vs. Tottenham Hotspur): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Degen, Aquilani, Riera, Kuyt.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Kevin Doyle
Some touted the Irishman as a flash-in-the-pan when he stormed onto the scene with Reading, but he is showing this season that he can trouble any Premier League defence. If Wolves are to obtain a result against the Reds, odds are that their leading goalscorer will be responsible.
Liverpool - Alberto Aquilani
'Aquaman' handed his doubters a big, fat slice of humble pie on his last outing, flourishing in the trequartista role as he steered his side to victory against Spurs. He and every Kopite will be eager for an encore showing.
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