After an exhausting weekend in the last round at the St Marys, Liverpool will be back at Anfield this weekend as they welcome David Moyes’ struggling Sunderland side in a crunch game. The Black Cats are fresh from a victory over Hull City and will hope to use that confidence in this game but they will have to be a lot better to stop the free-scoring Liverpool side under an even noisier Anfield this season. Klopp will know that a win can take them back to the top of the table and will hope that his team can give it their all and can take their chances unlike the last game, to take home all three points. Here is the preview of this game, along with the team news, predicted lineups, predictions and betting odds:
The Liverpool vs Sunderland game will be played on Saturday, the 26th of November at Anfield in Liverpool. The kick-off is scheduled at 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)
Team News:
Liverpool do not have too many absentees for this game with Sheyi Ojo and Joe Gomez also back in training. Danny Ings is out for the rest of the season while Adam Lallana might miss this and another game before he could make the side even stronger.
David Moyes has a few problems ahead of this tricky trip to Anfield. Paddy McNair has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate ligament in last week’s win over Hull, while Papy Djilobodji is suspended after being sent off in the same game. Lee Cattermole (hip), Fabio Borini (groin), Sebastian Larsson (knee), Jan Kirchhoff and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) are still out while John O’Shea and Steven Pienaar might be back in action for this game.
Expected Lineups:
Liverpool:
Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Can, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
Sunderland:
Pickford; Jones, John O’Shea, Kone, Patrick van Aanholt; Kirchhoff, Ndong, Denayer; Watmore, Defoe, Anichebe
Key Battles:
Roberto Firmino vs John O’Shea:
The Brazilian has been in sublime for this season for the Reds and was their biggest threat in front of goal even in the last game. He will be up against a strong defender in O’Shea and will have to be at his best to have the kind of an effect on the game that can give Liverpool all three points on the night.
Jermaine Defoe vs Joel Matip:
Breaking Premier League goal scoring records in the last few seasons, Defoe, is an impact player for Sunderland, who also helped his side to a victory in the last round. However, he will be up against a man mountain in Joel Matip who has been exceptional at the back for Liverpool this season. This battle can well decide the outcome of the game.
Key Stats:
Liverpool have never lost a Premier League match vs Sunderland at Anfield (W7 D8). Indeed, the Reds are unbeaten in their last 18 home games in all competitions against the Black Cats (W9 D9).
Sunderland have won just two of their last 20 games against Liverpool (D5 L13) – 1-0 in October 2009 and 1-0 in March 2012.
James Milner has scored five Premier League goals against Sunderland with four different Premier League teams (Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leeds, and Manchester City); only Emile Heskey (5) has scored against Sunderland with more sides.
Daniel Sturridge has been directly involved in five goals in his last three Premier League appearances against Sunderland (three goals, two assists).
Jurgen Klopp hasn’t named an unchanged Premier League starting line-up since his second game in charge, going 40 games without keeping the same starting XI.
Sunderland are looking to win three successive Premier League matches for the first time since May 2014 (four in a row).
Sunderland have scored their last 21 successive penalties in the league (the longest run of all current teams in the league) and haven’t failed from the spot in the league since December 2011.
Betting Odds:
Liverpool: 2/11
Draw: 6/1
Sunderland: 14/1
Predictions:
Playing at home, Liverpool are expected to get back among the goals and put Sunderland to the sword but Liverpool have shown a small weakness against teams who like to sit back and defend and Moyes will surely try to use this against the Reds. However, with a week of preparation under their belt, Liverpool are favorites to the win this game easily.
Our Prediction:
Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland