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After picking up a vitally important win against Spurs in their last league outing, Liverpool will look to capitalise on that by beating Wolves. Despite not dominating the match by any stretch of the imagination at Anfield, Liverpool got an early lead through a Dirk Kuyt goal, and then it was a matter of keeping out the more inventive, more flowing attacking prowess of Tottenham. Liverpool had more possession, but Spurs worked better with what they had, except where it matter, right in front of goal. The victory was sealed with a late penalty by Kuyt to seal three points, which are crucial in the race for fourth place. That win put Liverpool just one point behind Spurs who are currently fourth. It is not as all clear cut at it sounds though, as Aston Villa and Manchester City who have games in hand over both Spurs and Liverpool will play a major factor in that final Champions League spot. It is odd how things fall into perspective, as Liverpool are deemed to be having a woeful season, whereas Tottenham, Man City and Aston Villa are all having great ones, yet only two points separate them all.

Playing a lowly Wolves, who are hovering just above the drop zone, should provide another three points for Rafa Benitez. After all the speculation of how much longer he would be able to hang onto his job at Anfield, there are new rumours flying around about his position. Only now, as far as Rafa must be concerned, it is flattering rumours that he is being head-hunted by Italian giants Juventus. That would certainly offer a way out of the struggles of this season at Anfield for the Spaniard, without having been given an acrimonious boot. An unthinkable defeat against Wolves may tip if his hand if the rumours are to be believed.

*Update: Benitez’s Agent has stated that Rafa is not going anywhere, and is tied to a deal which could keep him in the hotseat at Anfield until 2014. Apparently there has been no official contact from Juve.

The Reds have been trying to sign Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland, as they look for a quality striker to replace the absent Fernando Torres who is missing through injury. There is a lot of bad press flying around between the two clubs, and any deal is looking highly unlikely at this stage. Wolves, who have an FA Cup replay to contend with against Crystal Palace, badly need a win to ease some pressure surrounding the worries of relegation. Having lost their last three league matches, they are sliding badly and need to stop the rot. Scoring goals would certainly help that situation, as they have only managed two league goals in their last five matches.

Wolves are the league’s lowest scorers at home, tied with Birmingham on nine goals each. Wolves have only managed 8 goals away from home as well, which won’t instil a lot of confidence in their fans that they can go out and turn over Liverpool. If they could, it would be a huge boost in confidence for them. The two sides met just after Christmas at Anfield, where Liverpool were fairly comfortable 2-0 winners, and while the Reds aren’t full of goals themselves, and missing two main sources of goals in Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, they should have the edge again on Tuesday night, by way of the fact they aren’t anywhere near as leaky at the back as Wolves.

Update: There is a chance that Gerrard could return to action against Wolves. Gerrard’s hamstring was expected to keep him out longer, but after training on the weekend, he could put in an appearance.

BETTING STATS

Head to Head
Liverpool 2, Wolves 0

Last 5 Match Goals
Wolves – 2 For, 10 Against
Liverpool – 5 For, 3 Against

Last 10 Match Form
Wolves – W3, D0, L7
Liverpool – W5, D3, L2

Match Prices:
Wolves to win: 5/1 at Victor Chandler
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Liverpool to win: 8/11 at Totesport

Betting Advice: Unlikely to be anything other than a Liverpool win. They may not have been great this season, but wins against Villa and Spurs recently have shown that it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s hope, and if they can get through this period without Torres and Gerrard, they should be all the stronger for it.
Wolves +0.75 Asian Handicap – Evens at Bet365

With Liverpool’s exit from the FA Cup to struggling Championship side Reading, Reds boss Rafa Benitez must now be fearing the moment when his name is taken off the door his Anfield office. This latest disaster follows an early exit from the Champions League and the Carling Cup. From their current league position, it looks as if they will struggle to take fourth place in the Premier League, meaning that they could miss out on the Champions League completely next season. The board have been patient with Benitez, and the players have rallied around him before, but is this now the final nail in the coffin of his Anfield tenure? If not, is the hammer hovering? The people filtering out of the Kop on Wedneday night, after Reading deservedly won the match in Extra Time, will probably want to see him gone sooner rather than later. Fan pressure counts for a lot.

It has been a tough season for Liverpool, and quite a fall from grace from recent times. Just over a year ago they were serious challengers for the Premier League title, and they were a side to be reckoned with in the Champions League. All that has changed though, with directionless performances from what looks like a sub-standard team in terms of quality. Now to compound their woes, star striker Fernando Torres is out for six weeks as he needs to undergo a knee operation, and captain Steven Gerrard is also going to be in the treatment room for a couple of weeks after picking up an injury. Lack of full fitness to their two star peformers has caused them problems all season, primarily highlighting the fact that there is lack of quality in depth at the club.

So how long now will Benitez be at Anfield? Naturally the betting world is jumping all over this, but a statement from Managing Director Christian Purslow, has said that his position is safe. Is that merely the dreaded vote of confidence? Liverpool’s next game is on the weekend at Stoke, and could be a real minefield if they fail to come away with a win. Following that, they have to take on the high flying Tottenham at home. With these games on the horizon, the new and improved Ladbrokes have a very particular bet, which is “Liverpoool not to beat Stoke and Benitez to leave job before midnight Sunday, January 17th” all for the price of 7/1.

Expekt are offering 9/10 on him to go between 19/01/2010 and 22/05/2010 inclusive.
BetFred offer 10/1 on Benitez to leave before the match against Tottenham on January 20th.

Stan James are offering 13/8 on Benitez being the manager on the 1st Day of Next Season, while offering 12/5 on “Any Other Manger”. Kenny Dalglish incidentally is 7/2 with Stan James to be Manager on 1st Day of Season (same price as Jose Mourinho). The real big question though, maybe not when Spaniard Benitez goes, but if he does, who will replace him? This is where the fun really starts, with Victor Chandler offering a list of potential next managers. Jose Mourhino and Kenny Dalgish are at 3/1, while Guus Hiddink is offered at 10/3. Fancy Gerard Houllier coming back? He is at 10/1. The list goes on, including names such as Martin O’Neill, David Moyes, Harry Redknapp and Alex McLeish, who, to be fair, it is hard to see them leaving their current positions. For some reason, the name that caught my eye was Didier Deschamps at 33/1, as he would probably bring some of the good passing football that is associated with Liverpool. Or maybe Sven Goran Eriksson at 50/1 would be the man to fill the hot-seat? Check out Victor Chandler for a comprehensive list.

Boylesports are taking a slightly different approach to the whole situation, by offering odds on “What Will Happen First?” for Liverpool specials:
Liverpool to win major trophy with another manager – 4/7
Liverpool win major trophy with Rafa Benitez – 11/4
Rafa Benitez wins major trophy with another team – 7/2

The miserable season of course though, doesn’t just affect the manager. One way Benitez would probably be able to invest in some new players, would be to sell off his star striker, Fernando Torres. He would command millions all across Europe, and Boylesports offer 1/6 for Torres to be playing in the English Premier League next season, and 7/2 on him being in the Spanish Primera Liga.

Saturday, December 26
Anfield
Kick Off 5.30 pm

All through Liverpool’s difficult season, one result Rafa Benitez will have wishes that he could shy away from, would be last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at bottom club Portsmouth. Liverpool have now slipped further back in the Premier League and are down in eighth position following the defeat. Midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent off in the match, not helping the Red’s cause any, and now will have to sit out the next four matches as his team mates try and pick up the pieces. Based on Liverpool’s showing last weekend, Benitez’s assurance that the prestigious club will finish in the top four, looks a long way short of happening.

Macherano’s absence, could signal the real start of a run in the side for summer signing Alberto Aquilani, who has been bothered with injury all season. Star striker Fernando Torres should be fit, but his continuing groin problems looks to still be a bit hit and miss. Nevertheless, Liverpool need him to fire them upwards, as without him, they have very little to offer up front. Torres has publicly stated that it would be a mistake to sack Benitez, but then he shouldn’t worry too much, as most teams in Europe would be happy to prise him away to secure his services. A flailing Liverpool may struggle to keep a hold of him.

Wolves are also look a little light up front, as they have found it difficult to score both home and away, which could mean this will be a tight affair. Wolves however will be in good spirits with the benefit of a healthy squad, and will hope to strike while the Liverpool iron is not so hot at the moment. Wolves desperately need points themselves, and are currently on a run of winning three out of their last four games. They need to keep going, as they look to not to be too far removed from being embroiled in a relegation battle, even this early in the season. They were sitting third from bottom, but a 2-0 victory over Burnley elevated them quite a few places up the table, with things being so tight down in the bottom half of the table. Despite getting hammered by Manchester United, Wolves did manage to beat Tottenham in a big away win for them, and that should give Liverpool some food for thought.

Anfield and the Kop are suffering this year, with very little to cheer about. They really need a boost ahead of their December 29th match against third placed Aston Villa. This festive season could be a make or break time for the tenure of Benitez in the hot seat at Liverpool. The signings he has made have not looked good enough for the quality that Liverpool should be delivering week-in week-out. There is no strength in depth, and even their first eleven looks to be on shaky ground at the moment. They are a world away from sitting atop of the tree this time last year.

BETTING STATS

Last 5 Match Goals
Liverpool – 5 For, 5 Against
Wolves – 6 For, 4 Against

Last 10 Matches
Liverpool W3, D3, L4
Portsmouth W3, D3, L4

Win Percentage
Liverpool have a 55.6 win percentage at home and 17 points in 9 home matches
Wolves have a 22.2 win percentage away and 8 points in 9 away matches

Match Prices:
Liverpool to win: 3/10 at BetFred
Draw: 19/4 at SportingBet
Wolves to win: 12/1 at Victor Chandler

Betting Advice: Neither team are scoring freely, hence the problems at both of the clubs. Wolves have the better form though, and have been battling resolutely to narrow victories. Another one on Saturday would be three of the biggest points they will get this season.
Wolves +1.5 Asian Handicap – 41/40 at Bet365

Anfield
November 9th
Kick Off: 8.00pm

Liverpool will look to move up the Premier League from their current 7th position, with a win over Birmingham at Anfield on Monday night. The Reds almost did their Champions League campaign a huge boost when they took a late lead against Lyon last week, but the French side hit back with an equalising blow which still leaves Liverpool’s qualifying position in a lot of doubt. The draw has left Liverpool’s record as six defeats in their last eight games in all competitions. This however, is a chance to start building some form and momentum.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will be hoping that Fernando Torres comes through a fitness test and is able to take part. The Reds really need his awesome presence at the moment, for if anyone is going to ease the pressure off Benitez, then it is going to be him. Steven Gerrard, who has been out with an injury too, has been back in training, but there is only a slim chance that he will take the field against Birmingham. With Birmingham down in 15th position, this is the ideal chance for Liverpool to build on what they achieved in Lyon. Even with a weakened side, should they not field Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool should still have enough in the tank at Anfield to beat Birmingham.

Blues boss Alex McLeish recently gained a valuable win over Sunderland in the league, and then followed it up with a 0-0 finish against draw specialists Manchester City. The Scot will know that his team have not been good on the road, winning only one and losing four. Birmingham’s problems are in front of goal, where they have only mustered eight in the league so far, the exact amount which they have conceded in all of their away games. They do not have a bad defensive record really, but there has just not been enough of a balance in going forwards to back things up. The Blues, who have recently been taken over, are hoping that the January transfer window comes sooner rather than later.

So too may Rafa Benitez, if he is going to be given cash to spend. On the current view of things, they do, certainly if they want to compete with Chelsea, who opened up a five point gap over Manchester United with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. It is a disappointing predicament for Liverpool fans, seeing that such early in the season, a lot of hopes have gone. It seems a far stretch for them to have realistic Premier League dreams, they were knocked out of the Carling Cup by a young Arsenal side, and their Champions League progress has been seriously impaired. Where to turn to for Benitez in front of the Kop on Monday night, if they cannot produce a much needed win?

Liverpool to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 4/1 at Ladbrokes
Birmingham to win: 10/1 at BetFred

Betting Advice: Birmingham will probably be happy enough with a draw at Anfield. It is probably how they will go and set their stall out anyway, hoping to catch the often vulnerable reds on the break. Liverpool should win, even if it’s a scrappy 1-0 affair, so it could be worth taking that, or perhaps backing a Birmingham surprise, especially after how Fulham outsmarted the Reds.
Liverpool to win 1-0: 13/2 at Victor Chandler
Birmingham Draw No Bet: 8/1 at 888Sport