The view from Wolves: 'We have to stop the world's best front three'

Promoted as 2017-18 Championship winners, Wolves made a phenomenal start to life in the top flight before hitting a sticky patch of five defeats and a draw through October and November.

However, manager Nuno Espirito Santo has since guided the club to three wins on the bounce - against Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bournemouth -  to bring the feel-good factor back to Molineux and move his side up to seventh in the table.

So, what kind of performance can we expect against Liverpool?

We spoke to Wolves season ticket holder and blogger Ben Rasmin to get some answers...

What did the manager change to get Wolves back on track?

Surprisingly, not a great deal. He has brought in the exciting academy graduate Morgan Gibbs-White and played him in a traditional No.10 role just off top scorer Raul Jimenez and a rejuvenated Diogo Jota.

So far, it's worked a treat, with three consecutive top-flight wins registered for the first time since 1980. 

How is he regarded by the fans?

Nuno is adored by the fans, so much so that I'm hard pressed to recall a Wolves manager as popular. There's certainly not been one in my lifetime that has captured the supporters' imagination quite as much as he has. 

Everything the guy does oozes class, and you can see that every single player loves playing for him. In as little as 18 months, he's completely rejuvenated the club from top to bottom.

Are Wolves confident heading into this match?

Considering Liverpool's form so far this season and your position in the table, I would say confident is stretching it! But, given our recent change in fortunes, I'd say we're certainly more optimistic now than we'd have been a month ago.

Plus, our record against the current top six (W1, D3, L1) makes for pretty good reading. So, I think most fans will be cautiously optimistic that we can make a good fist of it.

Which player has been the driving force in the team this term?

All the players have equipped themselves well, so it's hard to single one out for praise. But if pressed, I'd say the three stand-out performers at this early stage are centre-back Willy Boly, wing-back Matt Doherty and forward Raul Jimenez.

The latter has been particularly impressive, with five goals and five assists currently to his name.

And who provides the stardust?

Despite a recent dip in form, Ruben Neves remains our MVP. He's a real Rolls-Royce of a midfielder, and vital to the way we play under Nuno. 

That being said, Gibbs-White has been outstanding as of late, despite being just 18 years of age. He's a very exciting player and was instrumental in our recent win over Chelsea.

How do you expect Wolves to line up?

I suspect we'll go with the same team that beat Bournemouth, apart from Diogo Jota, who is ruled out injured. Ivan Cavaleiro might be called upon to replace him after scoring from the bench last time out.

Where do you think the match will be won and lost?

Without doubt, the key to a positive Wolves result is a good defensive performance. Liverpool's front three are arguably the best in world football and we'll have to be at our very best to keep them quiet. 

We ground out a result against Man City earlier in the season, held Arsenal at the Emirates and beat Chelsea, so have proven we're capable of shutting out top attackers. But I'm expecting a tough challenge against what's arguably the best side Liverpool have had in well over a decade.  

What is your prediction for the match?

I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy, so will go for 1-1.