Opponent : Liverpool

Date : 26/01/10

Result : D 0 - 0

Game :

Report :

Wolves v Liverpool.
A game of great importance, although each and every game we play in the Premiership is of equal importance, which saw MM change not only the team selection form our dire draw against Crystal Palace but also a change in the formation opting for a 4 – 5 – 1 formation mainly to stifle Liverpool’s midfield.
The first 10-15 minutes were going to be crucial and would set-up the rest of the game, and credit to MM and the backroom staff in getting the formation spot on.
With Doyle playing the lone striker role we needed a midfielder to support him as well as covering his midfield role and with the team selection this would be down to Milijas. Unfortunately Milijas had a rather quite game what with the ball pinging around in the middle of the pitch it proved to be a rather scrappy game with very few clear cut chances at either end.
Liverpool had a decent early chance when Gerrard’s corner was met by Alberto Riera who could only glance his header across the six yard area and harmlessly out for a goal kick. Kuyt had an effort blocked by Craddock for another Liverpool corner which was easily dealt with.
Matt Jarvis then made one of a few good runs down the left flank and had the legs over Carragher, and his cross was cleared at the near post with Henry waiting in the area. On the half hour mark Jarvis again outpaced Carragher and put in a neat low ball to the near post which Doyle got a flick and came off Reina but both the ref and the linesman missed it and awarded a goal kick.
Late on in the first half came our best chance when Milijas played a lovely cross field ball to Jarvis who whipped in a deep cross and was met by an unmarked Foley at the far post but in his attempt to head it back across the six yard box he inadvertently headed it straight into the hands of Reina.

Half Time: Wolves 0  Liverpool 0

A couple of minutes into the second half and Riera hooked a shot, from just outside our box, which Hahnemann comfortably collected at the second attempt.
Henry had a shot from the edge of the Liverpool area which hit a defender and then came off Foley and went behind for a goal kick. Later Berra headed the ball down for Doyle who created a shooting opportunity from 20 yards out but went well over the bar, a minute after that Zubar crossed the ball and found Doyle whose tame header was comfortably saved by Reina.
Liverpool went down the other end and Kuyt tried his luck from 25 yards with a curling effort which went a yard or so wide of Hahnemann’s goal post.
Doyle, who was proving a thorn in Liverpool’s defence, left Skrtel for dust with very neat footwork and then charged into the area and lashed a shot at goal but saw his effort go just over the corner of the goal. Dave Jones came on to replace Milijas and instantly had a chance to change the score line when Doyle was fouled 25 yards out from Liverpool’s goal, and instead of going for goal he passed it to Henry who laid it back off for Jones and his shot was blocked by the advancing defence.
In the dying minutes MM made his second and final sub with new signing Adlene Guedioura coming on for Jarvis. There was not enough time left in the game for the fans to get a good look at Guedioura so only time will tell if he can cut it in the Premiership.

An interesting fact is that Wolves have not lost to Liverpool at home since 1979 when Alan Hansen scored the only goal of the game!!

Full Time:  Wolves 0 – Liverpool 0

Man of the match – Kevin Doyle.