Mick McCarthy: No pressure on Wolves at Anfield
Thursday 22nd September 2011, 1:44PM BST.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has attempted to take the heat off his players by insisting Saturday’s clash at Liverpool is a “no pressure” game.
McCarthy’s side go to Anfield seeking to halt a mini-slide which has seen Wolves lose their last two Premier League games to QPR and Tottenham and fail to score in over five hours.
Liverpool, who have Steven Gerrard fully fit after ending his six-month absence in last night’s 2-1 Carling Cup win at Brighton, are also bidding to bounce back in the league after a 4-0 thrashing at Spurs.
Wolves recovered with Tuesday’s 5-0 Carling Cup rout of Millwall but McCarthy believes the trip to face Kenny Dalglish’s side is the best they could have hoped for.
“Maybe Liverpool is the best fixture for us after last weekend – to go to Anfield and play when there’s no pressure on us,” said McCarthy.
“I think last Saturday’s fixture was one of those where the pressure was on us to play well and to win against a team that got promoted. Liverpool away – there’s no pressure and we’re not expected to get anything, so it’s a place we can go and play.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy revealed his players have already been practising different formations so they are comfortable if he needs to revert to one up front.
The manager is believed to be considering a switch to 4-5-1 to stop the rot.
“I’d love to be able to play 4-4-2 all the time but I’m not sure I can,” he said.
“Could we do it against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool? There might be three in midfield and one dropping off, or one playing on the inside slightly narrower.”
Roger Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to be fit for the Anfield clash.
UK Sport
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