Liverpool are top of the Premier League and they go into this weekend knowing that a win would keep them at the top for Christmas. They also play first this weekend, so they have the chance to wrap that up before anyone else takes to the field when they travel to Wolves on Friday night. There is no doubt that Liverpool are genuine title contenders this season, and at this stage they are right in the mix and matching Manchester City stride for stride.

As we go into the final games before Christmas, Liverpool are one point ahead of City thanks to City losing at Chelsea two weeks ago. Liverpool have focused on their own games and picked up the points they need, which has moved them to the top of the table. It is far too early to be talking about winning the title, but psychologically there is no doubt that Liverpool have the edge right now. Liverpool know that they hold all the cards right now, and they are in control of their own destiny. When you look at this in the most simplest form, if Liverpool win every single one of their remaining Premier League games then they will win the title this year.

Wolves had a tough time during October and November but they have come out of that in good form this month, and they come into this game on the back of a three game winning run. Those games were their first victories since the beginning of October, and they have certainly been on a learning curve in this division over the past couple of months. They do look in a good position now though, although their position is still under threat with four quick games coming up and plenty of points at stake.

Wolves are currently in 7th position, just one point off Manchester United in 6th and had they been offered that at the start of the season then they would certainly have taken it. However, it is behind them that they need to worry about, with a big group of teams all close to them. Brighton are down in 13th position but they are only four points off Wolves, a gap that would easily be closed over the coming weeks with so many games coming thick and fast.

Fans of Wolves will be thrilled that they have turned the corner this month, but that could all be undone with a poor Christmas period, which starts with this game on Friday night. However, a good period and they can cement their position and move clear of those chasing them in behind, which is the next step for them.

Defensive Recruits Make Liverpool the Complete Team

When you talk about Liverpool football club and how good they are, it is the front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane that get all the attention. There is no doubt that they are three very good players and together they really enhance each others play, but it is at the other end of the field where Liverpool have always had problems, and now it appears they have fixed them.

While scoring goals has never been a problem, defensive issues have always plagued Liverpool, and it is those issues that have stopped them moving forward and going from being a good team to being a great team. However, if ever there was a season where Liverpool showed that they have solved their defensive problems then this could be it. They signed Virgil Van Dijk in January and added goalkeeper Alisson during the summer. Those two players have transformed the Liverpool defence, and turned them into genuine title hopes.

While Alisson may not be a goalkeeper you can put your 100% trust in because of the style that he plays, there is no doubt that he is a quality goalkeeper and one that ranks highly compared to others around the world. He adds quality to the backline, and when Liverpool need him, he has already shown that he will be there to defend for them.

The other addition, Virgil Van Dijk, has arguably been Liverpool’s best piece of business over the past few season. First of all, Van Dijk is a quality footballer, and he has improved their defence by being in the starting line up. However, it is his work with others that shows just why he is so good. Players who are good make teams play better, but players who are great als turn those around them into better players and that is exactly what Van Dijk is doing right now.

While Liverpool have him in the team, they are taking advantage of having a top quality defender, and someone who is capable of making their youngsters who are around him into better players. That is what will breed success in the future, and with Van Dijk at the heart of their defence, Liverpool are going to have a bright future.

Wolves vs Liverpool Betting Tips

Wolves come here on the back of a three game winning streak and they would love to make it four, something that would move them up into 6th position before the rest of the league plays over the weekend. However, just when they would love to bag another three points and begin the Christmas period on the front foot, they take on Liverpool, who come here as league leaders.

Liverpool are throwing down the gauntlet to Manchester City right now, and showing that they are genuine title contenders. They have four huge games over Christmas, and if they come out of that period still at the top in January, we are going to be in for a great battle at the top throughout 2019.

As far as this game goes, with the way that Liverpool are playing right now, it is impossible to oppose them here. There is no doubt that Wolves are in a much better place than they were a few weeks ago, but they are still going to struggle to match the might of Liverpool, who are also playing some great football right now. This game is the start of four huge games for these teams over the Christmas period, and both of them have a lot to play for, although this is obviously a much bigger period for Liverpool and their quest for the Premier League title.

I think they have enough in the locker here to get off to a good start, and I am backing Liverpool to pick up another three points and guarantee their fans the bragging rights of being top of the table at Christmas.

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