Wolves were really unlucky not to come away from Anfield with at least a point last weekend. The Old Gold will take positives from their performance though.
Wolves’ 2-1 defeat against Liverpool marked their 16th of the season, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort.
After being 2-0 down at halftime, Vitor Pereira made changes, including bringing on Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and January signing Marshall Munetsi for Goncalo Guedes and Pablo Sarabia, respectively.
The Wolves manager’s tweaks flipped the momentum, and although a late goal from Matheus Cunha wasn’t enough to rescue the game, one player’s introduction has sparked huge excitement.
Marshall Munetsi looks like seasoned striker
Although Munetsi is an experienced box-to-box midfielder, his power and ability to break opposition lines prompted Pereira to instruct him to play further forward.
With Guedes and Sarabia no longer on the pitch, Munetsi had free rein against Liverpool’s defence. The Zimbabwean caused so many problems and was unlucky not to score, and Dave Edwards thinks his ability to lead a team’s attack is remarkable.
“Marshall Munetsi was key to it [improved second half],” Edwards said on the Wolves Unpacked podcast.
“Playing as a number 9 was pretty amazing to see in the absence of [Jorgen Strand] Larsen and Hwang hee-Chan. […] To be as accomplished as what he is — he does look like a proper striker in everything he does.”
Marshall Munetsi vs LiverpoolStatisticMinutes played45′Shots on target1Shots off target1Big chances missed1Ground duels (won)4 (3)Aerial duels (won)2 (1)
Exciting analysis from Edwards, who clearly feels the 28-year-old has some useful attributes at both ends of the pitch.
Must start against Bournemouth
I know I’m not going to win any hot take points with this one, but Munetsi absolutely must start for Wolves against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The African looks to have taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water and, despite not being an outright forward, has already proven to be an upgrade on the likes of Sarabia, who shouldn’t play for Wolves again.
Munetsi, alongside Joao Gomes and Andre, is undoubtedly the best midfield trio Pereira can name, and with all three fit and available, fans can expect the former Stade Reims star to make his first full debut against the Cherries this weekend.
Saturday’s match at the Vitality Stadium is due to kick off at 3 p.m. GMT but has not be selected for broadcast in the UK.
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