Preview: Reds v Wolves

Liverpool return to action with an Anfield clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

The Reds will be determined to secure three points in front of the Kop following last weekend's Portsmouth disappointment.

The two sides have not met since a dramatic encounter in front of the Kop in March 2004 when Liverpool required a stoppage-time Sami Hyypia header to secure a 1-0 win.

However, Wolves claimed a 1-0 triumph of their own in L4 in January 1984 and will be hoping to gain some ground as they attempt to consolidate their position in the Barclays Premier League.

The opposition

Following their promotion from the Championship, Wolves arrive at Anfield in 12^th position in the Barclays Premier League.

The Midlanders were bolstered by a 2-0 victory over fellow top-flight new boys Burnley last time out, meaning they have won three of their last four matches.

Though they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United last time on the road, Wolves proved they are a dangerous proposition by clinching a 1-0 triumph at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

The danger man

Kevin Doyle is Wolves' top scorer so far this term with five goals to his name - all of which have come in the Barclays Premier League.

The 26-year-old became the Wanderers' record signing when he moved to Molineux from Reading in the summer.

The Irish international had spent four years at the Madejski Stadium, having been plucked from Cork City.

He helped the Royals into the Premier League in 2006 and notched 13 goals in the top flight that season.

A clinical poacher and powerful in the air, Doyle will have to be closely monitored by the Reds' rearguard.

Match stats
By Ged Rea

A victory will give Liverpool 400 points won in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez.

Fernando Torres needs one goal in next ten games to reach 50 in league faster than any other player in Liverpool's history.

Steven Gerrard could captain Liverpool for the 200th time in the Premier League.

Liverpool have had as many players sent off in the last 13 matches (4) as in the previous 187 games.

If Liverpool score it will be the first time since February 1992 that they have found the net in 20 successive league games at home.

The Reds have lost just twice on Boxing Day in the last 22 years. The last time they were beaten at Anfield was in 1986 when Manchester United won 1-0.

The recent record between the sides here has seen Liverpool win 18 and draw three of the 22 meetings.

From the last meeting here in March 2004 only Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard remain at the club.

No Liverpool player has ever scored a hat-trick against Wolves.

Home and away, Wolves have scored more than once against Liverpool in just one of the last 20 games.