AliousWolves were unlucky to leave Anfield empty-handed after a determined performance, and their fans will have been disappointed by the additional setback that followed. Despite a 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, the second-half showing from Vitor Pereira’s side raised hopes for their survival in the Premier League. Matheus Cunha’s brilliant goal, which followed a motivating half-time speech, sparked a much-improved second-half display, with Wolves taking control of the game.
Marshall Munetsi had a golden opportunity to score on his Premier League debut, while several other Wolves players, including Brazilian Andre, also impressed. However, despite the positives to take from the match, one significant injury has put a damper on Pereira’s survival hopes. Dave Edwards believes Emmanuel Agbadou’s injury represents a ‘major blow.’
Agbadou, who had been playing alongside Matt Doherty and Toti Gomes in the center of defense, faced a challenging match against world-class attackers, particularly the relentless Mohamed Salah. The Ivorian, who had been a standout since joining in January, suffered a muscle injury during the match, which saw him replaced at halftime by Santiago Bueno. Pereira later confirmed the injury, and supporters were left concerned.
In his E&S column, Edwards expressed that the loss of Agbadou is a substantial setback for Wolves: “The big blow, however, was Agbadou’s injury,” Edwards wrote. “He’s been fantastic since arriving but looked a little uncertain at Anfield, making a few mistakes. It seems to be a hamstring issue, and he will be a significant miss with two crucial Premier League matches ahead.”
Agbadou’s impact since joining Wolves cannot be overstated. He has become an essential part of the team, and his solid performances have been recognized, earning him the Player of the Month award for January. His absence for upcoming matches could have a detrimental effect on Wolves’ survival prospects, with key fixtures against Bournemouth, Fulham, and Everton approaching.
To highlight his importance, here are Agbadou’s defensive stats since joining Wolves:
– 2.8 tackles per game
– 5.6 balls recovered per game
– 5 clearances per game
– 1.2 interceptions per game
– 6.2 duels won per game (74%)
– 1 clean sheet
Clearly, Agbadou has been a game-changer for Wolves, helping solidify their defense, and fans will now be hoping that his injury is not as serious as initially feared.
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