Wolves hit by virus outbreak ahead of daunting Liverpool visit | OneFootball

Gary O’Neil has already lost defender Yerson Mosquera to serious knee injury

Manager Gary O'Neil has revealed Wolves are dealing with an outbreak of illness ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday.

Wolves have already been dealt a huge blow in their struggling defence after Yerson Mosquera was stretchered off with a serious knee injury in their loss to Aston Villa.

Several others missed training on Friday and are doubtful through a virus.

"There's quite a bit of illness actually," said Wolves boss O'Neil.

"A few will need a check tomorrow on how they're feeling - we just had a little bit of a virus going around. Quite a few missed training today so we'll see how we are tomorrow.

"We have a few issues but looking forward to getting out there and make it as difficult as possible for Liverpool.

"Some lads will struggle for tomorrow but that's not a definite, sometimes these things can clear up in 24 hours.

"We are hopeful that the guys with the virus will be fine and 100 per cent available for tomorrow. But as the doctor told me, it's hard to give a definitive answer."

Wolves have conceded 14 goals throughout their five games so far which is the joint most in the division alongside the Toffees.

Liverpool have scored 10 and Saturday's fixture could put more strain on Wolves' leaky defence.

O'Neil added: "When you lose games, it becomes tougher to win them.

"At Villa they gave everything and we got punished but not through a lack of effort and resilience.

"Stats-wise we have conceded more goals than we should. Not many teams have cut us open.

"We have only expected to concede six or seven goals but have conceded 14. Other seasons should suggest that won't continue.

"The last three goals we have conceded which have changed games have been deflected - we need to keep working, tighten up and change those fine margins."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has only lost one game since arriving at Anfield and will be looking to extend his side's winning run to four games across all competitions.

O'Neil said: "He's excellent. No surprise he's started well.

"There's no real mess to fix, he's gone into a well-run club with a good squad and he's a good coach so no shock it's been a good start.

"I expect them to have a good season, but tomorrow we do everything we can to disrupt that. We managed to find a way last season and that's what we'll look to do tomorrow."