"Will be the favourites" - Dimitar Berbatov makes prediction for PL fixture between Wolves and Liverpool

Dimitar Berbatov has backed Liverpool to secure a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) in the Premier League on Saturday (September 16).

The Reds have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, amassing 10 points in four games, including a heroic 2-1 win at Newcastle United with 10 men. Wolves, meanwhile, aare 15th in the points table with three points.

Berbatov reckons the Reds should be good enough to keep a clean sheet away from home despite Virgil van Dijk's absence. The Dutchman was handed a one-game extended ban and a £100,000 fine for improper conduct after being sent off against Newcastle.

The former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker, an ambassador for Betfair, wrote (h/t Metro):

"Wolves are not doing so well at the moment. Liverpool will be the favourites, and I can’t argue with that, although Van Dijk still being suspended may be a problem. I think his suspension is ridiculous - the referee should speak to the players.

"Without speaking to them, you will just make the players angry, particularly the big ones. Just talk to him calmly, explain the decision, and he will respect the decision. You must express what the player did wrong. I do think Liverpool will beat Wolves, though. Prediction: 0-2."

Liverpool lost this fixture 3-0 at the Molineux in February this year. That's Wolves' only win against the Reds in 11 meetings across competitions, with only one game ending in a draw.

---

Jurgen Klopp updates on Trent Alexander-Arnold's hamstring injury ahead of Liverpool's Wolves clash

Virgil van Dijk isn't going to be Liverpool's only major absence against Wolves. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old picked up a knock in the closing stages of Liverpool's 3-0 league win against Aston Villa on September 3. As a result, he was forced to miss England's fixtures against Ukraine (UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier) and Scotland (friendly) this month.

There was a feeling that Alexander-Arnold would not be ready to face Wolves this weekend. Klopp has now confirmed the same at his pre-match press conference (h/t Liverpool Echo);

"He (Trent) is not available. We knew that before. He didn't train with the team. It's not the worst hamstring injury, but it's a hamstring injury. We hope he can start, because he's running already, ball work early next week."

Alexander-Arnold's importance to the Reds side be overstated. He was made the vice-captain this summer and has started in all four league games this season. Joe Gomez could play right-back spot in Alexander-Arnold's absence.