Liverpool v Sunderland – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Liverpool v Sunderland

Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday night trying to determine whether their win at West Ham was the start of an upturn or simply a brief pause in an otherwise rocky spell.

Arne Slot’s side eased to a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium, while Sunderland pulled off one of the most dramatic results of the season, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Bournemouth 3-2.

The Reds were helped by a baffling red card shown to Lucas Paqueta, but Liverpool still had to make the most of it after a shaky run of form.

Alexander Isak ended his seven-game league drought with his first Premier League goal for the club, and Cody Gakpo struck late to secure the points.

Slot’s decision to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench raised eyebrows, yet Liverpool produced one of their better performances of recent weeks without him.

Whether Salah returns to the starting XI or not, Liverpool enter the midweek round aiming to break into the European places. They sit eighth, but only three points separate them from Chelsea in third, underlining how tight the table is behind the top two.

Another useful omen for the hosts: Liverpool have beaten every newly promoted side they’ve faced in the Premier League over their past 12 attempts, both home and away. Sunderland, however, are far removed from typical newcomers at this level.

Regis Le Bris’s team made club history last weekend by winning a Premier League match from 2-0 down for the first time ever.

That result kept Sunderland ahead of several big clubs in the standings, including Liverpool themselves, as they hold sixth place on goal difference behind Brighton.

Their challenge remains the lack of punch on their travels – only three away goals so far – even if their defensive record on the road has been respectable.

The Black Cats have not left Anfield with a league win since 1983, and their last Premier League meeting with Liverpool came back in 2017, a 2-2 draw.

Team news for Liverpool v Sunderland

All eyes will be on whether Salah returns to the fold, but Slot may be tempted to keep his forward line unchanged after the encouraging showing against West Ham. Florian Wirtz impressed throughout, while Gakpo and Isak both made decisive contributions.

Joe Gomez is unlikely to start again so soon after his recent return, and Milos Kerkez could also drop out. With Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong all sidelined, Curtis Jones could be asked to fill in at right-back – a role Slot has hinted he may revisit.

Sunderland head to Merseyside without Aji Alese or Habib Diarra, but Le Bris otherwise has a strong squad available.

Brobbey’s impact off the bench at the weekend may put him in contention for his first league start of the campaign.

Lutsharel Geertruida could also come in should Sunderland shift shape to keep Liverpool’s frontline in check.

Expected line-ups for Liverpool v Sunderland

Liverpool: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fée; Traoré, Brobbey

How to watch Liverpool v Sunderland: TV channel, online stream

The game at Anfield will kick-off at 20:15 GMT and is available to watch on Sky Sports Football. Fans in the UK can also stream the game on NOW TV or the Sky Go/Sky Sports+ app.

The stats for Liverpool v Sunderland

• Liverpool have won their past 12 Premier League matches against newly promoted sides
• The Reds are three points off the top three despite sitting in eighth
• Sunderland have scored only three away league goals this season
• Only three Premier League teams have conceded fewer than Sunderland’s six goals on the road.
• Sunderland’s comeback win over Bournemouth was their first-ever Premier League victory from 2–0 down
• Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield against Sunderland in the Premier League era

Prediction