Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with high-flying Sunderland will reveal whether their win over West Ham United was a turning point or just a brief moment of relief. Last weekend, the Reds cruised to a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium, while Sunderland pulled off a dramatic comeback at the Stadium of Light, overturning a 2-0 deficit to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
Liverpool were helped by a highly controversial red card shown to Lucas Paquetá, but they still produced a composed performance to halt a three-game losing streak. Alexander Isak finally ended his seven-match Premier League scoring drought with his first goal for the club, and Cody Gakpo sealed the win late on.
Arne Slot’s bold decision-making paid off, especially as Mohamed Salah remained on the bench for the full match. While some believe this hints at an uncertain future for the Egyptian star, Slot insists Salah remains part of his plans.
Liverpool now aim to push back into European contention, sitting eighth with 21 points—only three behind Chelsea and four behind Manchester City. Their record against newly promoted sides is flawless lately, with 12 consecutive Premier League wins, and Anfield has long been an unforgiving venue for such visitors. But Sunderland have shown this season that they are far from a typical newcomer.
Regis Le Bris’s Sunderland made club history last weekend by winning a Premier League game from 2-0 down for the first time in 188 attempts. Bournemouth struck early through Amine Adli and a stunning effort from Tyler Adams, but Sunderland turned the match on its head thanks to goals from Enzo Le Fée, Bertrand Traoré and substitute Brian Brobbey. The result ended their three-match winless run and kept them in sixth place, above Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, and level on points with fifth-placed Brighton.
However, Sunderland’s away form raises concerns. They have scored only three away goals this season – the second-worst attacking return on the road – though defensively they have been solid, conceding just six. Their historical record at Anfield offers little encouragement, as they have never beaten Liverpool there in the Premier League and have not won on Merseyside in league action since 1983. The sides have not met in nearly nine years, last sharing a 2-2 draw in January 2017.
Both teams arrive with momentum, but the real test is whether Liverpool can build on their London lift and whether Sunderland can continue defying expectations at one of England’s most intimidating grounds.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
All eyes at Anfield will be fixed on whether Mohamed Salah features on Wednesday, but unless Dominik Szoboszlai shows any signs of fatigue, Arne Slot is unlikely to interfere with the attacking balance that worked so well at the weekend.
Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz — who impressed heavily against West Ham — are expected to keep their places. However, Milos Kerkez and Joe Gomez may step aside in the full-back positions, with Gomez not yet ready to handle two consecutive starts.
Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined with an ACL injury, while Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are also set to miss the match. Slot, who has repeatedly stressed the need to manage Gomez carefully, may turn to Curtis Jones as an emergency right-back option again.
Sunderland travel with a mostly fit squad despite absences for Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Aji Alese and Habib Diarra. Their options remain strong, and Brian Brobbey’s impact from the bench last Saturday scoring and now contributing to three goals in his last five Premier League outings — puts him in contention for his first league start of the season.
He could lead the line if Regis Le Bris opts to tweak his system, and Lutsharel Geertruida may also come in for Chemsdine Talbi if greater defensive solidity is required.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Mukiele, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fee; Traore, Brobbey
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland
