Sunderland meet Liverpool in a huge Premier League showdown in the race for European qualification.
Victory would lift Sunderland up to eighth and behind the Reds plus Brentford on goal difference, whilst Liverpool will stay sixth regardless of the result until at least Thursday evening at minimum.
Team News
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Bertrand Traore (knee), Jocelin Ta Bi and Granit Xhaka (both ankle) remain absent.
Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai after the Hungarian midfielder was red carded in their 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City.
Joe Gomez (knock) could return but Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Alex Isak (leg), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Liverpool at Stadium of Light on Wednesday 11 February at 8:15pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland are winless in their last 11 league meetings against Liverpool (D5, L6).
- Liverpool have avoided defeat in their last five visits to Sunderland (W3, D2).
- Sunderland have drawn three of their last four meetings against Liverpool (D3, L1).
- Three of Brian Brobbey’s five league goals for Sunderland this season were scored at home.
- Liverpool have won just one of their last five away matches in the Premier League (W1, D3, L1).
Prediction
Although their defeat at Arsenal was always inevitable, Sunderland should be pleased at how hard they made the Gunners work for that win but this is going to be their big test because a win here would put them level with Liverpool, yet their best performances have been at home.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats also have the advantage of an extra day of rest but realistically need to come out of the traps attack wise, whilst remaining as defensively organised and resilient as they were in the reverse game at Anfield.
Liverpool meanwhile were sloppy in the first half in their clash against Man City before a much improved second half saw them find the first goal, yet their defensive issues continued to cost them when should of shut up shop as a marking error and careless foul cost them.
Szoboszlai also will be a loss given that he is currently filling the right-back role so Gomez’s return is well-timed even though Curtis Jones or Andy Robertson could deputise, but this is going to be a tough test for Arne Slot’s Reds against a resilient team who are yet to lose at home this season in the top flight.
Liverpool are also coming into this game off the back of a highly-physical energetic defeat to City and have a FA Cup test against Brighton to come on Saturday night, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some changes but they should at least grind out a draw if can’t win.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
Result: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
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