Liverpool are coming off the highest of highs after their miraculous comeback against Barcelona to advance to the Champions League final and will be hoping for another miracle on Sunday.
Heading into the final game of the season, Liverpool sit just one point behind Manchester City. City must drop points for Liverpool to have a chance at winning the title but all three points for the Reds isn’t guaranteed. Liverpool welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield who themselves are also closing a fantastic season.
With Leicester City’s loss last week, Wolves have secured 7th spot on their return to the Premier League and will be looking to close the season on a high.
Ahead of a game where Liverpool could become Premier League champions, I spoke to Ryan Leister of the Birmingham Mail to get his thoughts on Wolves’ season so far, expectations for next season, the match on Sunday and more.
With this being the final game of the season, it’s a perfect time to look back at what a season Wolves have had. Could you give a brief summary on just how good the side have been on their return to the Premier League?
It’s not just what Wolves have done, it’s how they’ve done it. Playing winning football that’s also kind on the eye, I’m not sure I want the season to end.
At the start of the season many, including myself would have taken a comfortable survival.
So finishing seventh and making it to the FA Cup Semi-final has been like a dream come true. Not bad for a newly promoted side eh?!
Wolves were obviously too good for the Championship last season, but did you expect them to have this good of a season in the top flight.
I think everyone was confident that we’d hold our own and would stay up, but very few predicted we’d get the unofficial crown as ‘best of the rest’.
We had a dip in November/December but a slight tweak to the set up in the FA Cup game against Liverpool and we’ve not looked back since.
What is the main cause for this great season?
The majority of this side are the core of players that got Wolves promoted last season. We added a couple of quality additions and other than a slight tweak in formation mid-season, we’ve kept to the same plan and style.
Whereas Fulham, who spent roughly the same amount of money, changed many players and the system that got them promoted.
A Manchester City FA Cup final win will take Wolves into the Europa League. How much would a European campaign mean to the side and would Wolves fare better than Southampton and Burnley who have disappointed in the Europa League in recent years?
Europa League football would be a ridiculous achievement for a newly promoted club and one that everyone at Wolves both on and off the pitch is desperate for.
I’m expecting a big summer in the transfer window for Wolves and getting European football would only help attract quality reinforcements.
No disrespect to Arsenal and Chelsea, but Wolves have deservedly taken four points off both of them this season and they are both in the Europa League final, so why can’t Wolves go deep into the competition? (Should Man City win the FA Cup).
Do you fear that Nuno Espírito Santo or any of his players could leave in the summer after such a good season?
Success will always alert any vultures, especially from ‘the big six’ as they are always under so much pressure to achieve, but I think the plan is to break into the big six and not lose our best players to any of them.
Wolves also don’t need to sell as we are fortunate to have multi-billionaire owners who are hungry for success with the players and a manager who are all buying into the project.
With 7th place already secured what kind of Wolves will show up on Sunday?
Wolves have an opportunity to show what they can do with the whole football world watching, so it’s a fantastic fixture to end the season with.
I don’t imagine for one second Wolves will be doing anything but giving it everything they have and against the top sides, it’s when Wolves have sparkled the most.
Wolves are waiting on Man City to do them a favour in the FA Cup final and I’m sure Nuno’s side will be doing everything they can on Sunday, although it will be a very tough test.
What is the mood amongst the fan base as the season comes to a close?
Winning the Championship last season was fantastic and I didn’t think it would be bettered so soon, but what Wolves have achieved and the way they’ve done it (with good football), has left the fanbase very proud and full of hope for next season.
What is Wolves’ greatest strength and weakness?
It’s probably not really a weakness, more something they don’t have, but Wolves don’t have anyone who can travel with the ball from midfield and drive forward.
The biggest strength Wolves have is the way everything is about the team and doing it together. Wolves do have some star players but it’s very much about the setup, hard work and discipline that goes on top of the talent.
Who has been the sides best player this season and who has been the worst or most disappointing?
Matt Doherty, Diogo Jota and Raúl Jimenez have all had fantastic seasons, but up a level from them has been Joao Moutinho who has been sensational and at £5m, he’s been an absolute snip.
Two years ago Helder Costa was Wolves’ star man and he was outstanding and shined in the FA Cup victory at Anfield, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen that kind of form from him.
Unfortunately for him, the tweak in the system leaves him without a natural position which isn’t his fault, but it’s hard to see where he now fits in, despite some good early season form.
What is your biggest worry heading into the match?
I can hand on heart say I don’t have a single worry going into this game, yes Wolves are facing one of the best sides in Europe, but that’s a challenge to embrace, not fear.
It’s no secret that Wolves have loved playing against the better sides this season and despite Liverpool’s amazing performance against Barcelona, they’ll still fancy it on Sunday!
How do you rate this Liverpool side?
Most seasons this Liverpool side would have walked the league and they are very unlucky that a team like Man City is around at the same time.
It’s the relentless energy and how heavily the fullbacks are so involved so high up the pitch that’s impressed me the most.
Which Liverpool player has impressed you the most this season?
It would be easy to say Virgil van Dijk or Sadio Mané but as mentioned above, the Liverpool fullbacks have been tremendous.
I’ve liked Andy Robertson since he was at Hull and he looked a good player then, but now he looks like one of the best left-backs in Europe.
How do you see Espírito Santo lining up his side?
3-5-2 (with Neves holding)
Patrico;
Bennett, Coady, Boly;
Doherty, Neves, Otto;
Dendoncker, Moutinho;
Jimenez, Jota
How do you see the match playing out?
If Liverpool play like they did against Barcelona, then it’s going to be a massive test for Wolves, but with seventh secured and a potential title on the line, all the pressure is on Liverpool.
I’d never predict my side to lose, so I’ll go with an ambitious 1-1!
