Liverpool is set to host Sunderland in a Premier League clash today at 10:15 PM GMT at Anfield. Stuart Attwell will be the head referee for the encounter. The Merseyside Reds will be chasing a crucial victory to climb the league table, while their opponents will look to capitalize on Liverpool's inconsistent performances.
Before the season began, few would have predicted Sunderland to be ahead of Liverpool in the table after 13 rounds, yet here we are. The Black Cats sit sixth with 22 points, while Arne Slot's side is in eighth place with 21 points. Sunderland has showcased a solid defense, conceding just 13 goals, whereas Liverpool boasts a more potent attack with 20 goals scored but is more vulnerable at the back, having let in 20.
Liverpool's season has been, to put it mildly, disappointing. In their last five matches, the team has recorded two wins and three losses. Over the weekend, the Reds secured an important 2-0 away victory against West Ham, but prior to that, they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The team also lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest and by the same scoreline to Manchester City, though they did manage a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Sunderland, on the other hand, has shown more stable form with two wins, two draws, and only one loss in their most recent five outings. The Black Cats defeated Bournemouth 3-2, lost 1-0 to Fulham, drew 2-2 with Arsenal and 1-1 with Everton, and before that, secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool will have to contend without four injured players. Defenders Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni, along with midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, will be unavailable for Arne Slot. Mohamed Salah is expected to return to the starting lineup, and Cody Gakpo will be eager to get on the scoresheet again. Sunderland also faces injury concerns, with defenders Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin, as well as midfielder Habib Diarra, unable to feature. Granit Xhaka is the Black Cats' midfield linchpin, and much will depend on him to guide the team to a positive result.
The last time these two teams met was on January 2, 2017, in a Premier League match that ended in a 2-2 draw at Sunderland's stadium. Before that, on November 26, 2016, Liverpool defeated the Black Cats 2-0 at Anfield. Sunderland has not beaten Liverpool since 2012, when they secured a 1-0 home victory.