Wolves Face Major Setback as Illness Sweeps Through Squad Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ preparations for their crucial Premier League match against Liverpool have been thrown into disarray, as manager Gary O’Neil confirmed that a wave of illness has struck the squad. The 41-year-old coach, who finds his team languishing at the bottom of the league table with just a single point from five matches, now faces the daunting task of rallying his side amidst this unexpected setback.
As Wolves continue their search for a much-needed first win of the season, they prepare to host a formidable Liverpool side that has been in red-hot form, particularly on the road. The Reds have secured victory in all three of their away games so far this season, making their trip to Molineux one of the most anticipated fixtures of the weekend. However, the Wolves’ camp has been hit by a bout of sickness that has sidelined several key players, forcing them to miss training sessions just days before the clash.
Speaking ahead of the match, O’Neil expressed his concern over the situation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the availability of some of his players. “There’s quite a bit of illness actually,” O’Neil admitted. “A few will need a check tomorrow on how they’re feeling—we just had a little bit of a virus going around.”
Despite the challenge, O’Neil remains hopeful that the affected players will recover in time to feature against Liverpool. “We are hopeful that the guys with the virus will be fine and 100 percent available for tomorrow,” he continued. “But as the doctor told me, it’s hard to give a definitive answer.”
This situation adds an extra layer of difficulty for Wolves as they brace themselves to face a Liverpool side under new management for the first time in over a decade. Arne Slot, who recently took over the reins from Jurgen Klopp, has made an immediate impact at Anfield, winning four of his first five Premier League matches. The Dutchman has swiftly put his stamp on the 19-time top-flight champions, and O’Neil has been quick to acknowledge his counterpart’s impressive start.
“He’s excellent, no surprise he’s started well,” O’Neil said of Slot. “There’s no real mess to fix; he’s gone into a well-run club with a good squad, and he’s a good coach, so no shock it’s been a good start.”
While the odds seem stacked against Wolves, O’Neil remains determined to disrupt Liverpool’s momentum. Reflecting on his side’s previous encounters with the Merseysiders, he recalled how Wolves managed to cause an upset last season and emphasized the importance of replicating that performance.
“I expect them to have a good season, but tomorrow we do everything we can to disrupt that,” O’Neil asserted. “We managed to find a way last season, and that’s what we’ll look to do tomorrow.”
As the clock ticks down to Saturday evening’s kickoff, Wolves fans will be anxiously waiting to see if their team can overcome the double challenge of illness and a high-flying Liverpool side. With the pressure mounting, this fixture could prove to be a pivotal moment in Wolves’ season, either reigniting their campaign or deepening their struggles in th
e Premier League.