Gary O’Neil confirms yet another frustrating injury concern after Wolves 2-1 loss vs Liverpool

Wolves are in dire straits at the moment and another injury blow deepened the wounds after their 2-1 defeat against Liverpool.

Wolves were in familiar territory once more as an injury crisis struck Gary O’Neil’s squad before they entertained Liverpool at Molineux.

O’Neil confirmed that a virus had wiped out some of the Wolves squad, including centre-back Craig Dawson, leaving just Toti Gomes and Santi Bueno as two senior centre-back options.

This news came after it was confirmed that Yerson Mosquera will miss the rest of the 2024/25 season following an ACL and MCL injury in the defeat to Aston Villa.

Wolves ended up equalling an unwanted club record in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool after making a poor start to the season but perhaps more alarmingly, O’Neil could have another injury to contend with.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as Wolves continue winless run with 2-1 Premier League defeat vs Liverpool

Gary O’Neil confirms Santiago Bueno injury concern in Wolves vs Liverpool

Following Dawson’s illness and the long-term injury to Mosquera, Bueno stepped into defence for his first start of the season against Liverpool.

Bueno partnered Toti at the back, and although the Wanderers suffered defeat, the Uruguayan put in a decent shift, winning three ground duels, making three tackles and five clearances.

The 25-year-old somewhat held his own against some world-class players but was withdrawn for midfielder Tommy Doyle in the 77th minute as Wolves went in search of an equaliser.

That never came, and O’Neil has since revealed that the reason for substituting Bueno wasn’t tactical, with the defender instead feeling something in his glute and asking to come off, as per Liam Keen on X.

It remains to be seen whether this injury is serious or just a precaution but it doesn’t look good at all for Wolves, who chose not to sign a fifth centre-back in the summer.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as Wolves continue winless run with 2-1 Premier League defeat vs Liverpool

Matt Hobbs made to pay for stance on Wolves defence

Wolves fans were left angered on Friday by the comments Jeff Shi made on their PSR situation and equally, aimed criticism at sporting director Matt Hobbs.

Hobbs explained how the club were happy to just keep the four centre-backs after Max Kilman’s departure, saying: “Externally, some fans may feel we’ve left ourselves short. It’s actually completely married up towards what our plan was at the start of the summer.

“Playing four at the back, we’re not going to carry five centre-backs. No club of our level would.

“We had high hopes in Yerson and keeping a fifth senior centre-back happy would have been hard. With Max leaving, and Yerson coming in, we were perfectly comfortable with how that looked.”

Of course, Wolves have been struck down with a huge slice of bad luck as injuries continue to derail their defensive unit however, not signing an experienced defender is unforgivable.

Dawson is approaching the end of his career, Toti is better in a back three while Mosquera and Bueno were inexperienced in the Premier League.

It’s left people far from convinced with the Wolves defence and that is partly down to their baffling decision not to sign another.