Julen Lopetegui has questioned the fairness of Liverpool having two extra days to prepare for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie after bemoaning Wolves’ congested schedule. Wolves’ trip to Anfield will be their third game in a testing run of six matches across 23 days.
Lopetegui believes Liverpool have a clear advantage because Jürgen Klopp’s side last played on Monday, losing 3-1 at Brentford. Wolves drew 1-1 at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
“I don’t understand how we play in one competition with two days’ less [preparation] than the opponent,” Lopetegui said. “Maybe one day [less preparation], it can happen. But two days, it is a lot. It is a big difference for us. They have two days’ recovery more. I am sorry but I don’t understand this.”
Lopetegui is hopeful the injury that forced Daniel Podence off at half-time at Villa Park is not serious but Boubacar Traoré is set to miss up to two months. Wolves were in the market for a centre-back, right-back and another striker after the arrival of Matheus Cunha but a midfielder is now a priority.
“It’s very bad news for us,” Lopetegui said of Traoré’s injury. “We have to improve and balance our squad. We only have four [fit] midfielders in the squad and we have to have more.”
Wolves, who remain in the Premier League relegation zone after one win in eight league matches, travel to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday before hosting fellow strugglers West Ham the following Saturday.
