EPL – Match Preview – Liverpool vs Sunderland

EPL – Match Preview – Liverpool vs Sunderland

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Faltering Liverpool welcome a struggling Sunderland side to Anfield, in a fixture recently dominated by the Reds, as both sides aim to find form after a recent run of poor results.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were dispatched midweek by leaders Leicester thanks to a brace by leading marksman Jamie Vardy, while Sunderland were edged out by a single goal at home by second-placed Manchester City in a much improved performance.

Of concern for Liverpool will be their form in front of goal since the frenetic 5-4 victory over Norwich City. Since that dramatic day in East Anglia, the Reds have failed to score in their last three games in all competitions.

The 1-0 defeat for the Black Cats last time out was the first time they had been held goalless since the reverse fixture between these two sides, however Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce would be encouraged by his side’s display against a much more fancied opponent.


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Liverpool are well off the Champions League places and have slipped to eighth, behind Southampton on goal difference after the midweek results. Even with a victory here, the Reds will still trail sixth-placed West Ham by at least two points, depending on the result between the Saints and the Hammers in the late game on Saturday. Sunderland still occupy a relegation place, four points adrift of 17th placed Norwich.

Key Battle – Dejan Lovren vs Jermain Defoe

Evergreen striker Defoe is central to his side’s fortunes in this clash and his battle with Dejan Lovren will be one to watch. On his day, the former England international can still win a match on his own – Defoe did so, scoring twice in a 3-1 win against Aston Villa and hit a hat-trick in a 4-2 win at Swansea, both shortly after the reverse fixture between these two sides. Lovren was a key part of a Southampton side which achieved their best ever Premier League finish in the 2013-14 season, but has been inconsistent since his departure and is yet to recapture the same form which saw him sold to Liverpool for a hefty sum. The ‘right’ Lovren turning up at Anfield this weekend to stop the dangerous Defoe will be key to gaining three much needed points.

Team News

 Although Philippe Coutinho, Martin Skrtel and Divock Origi edge closer to a return, the trio are unlikely to feature. Jordon Ibe, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana are expected to make up a makeshift front three, while Lovren and Sakho will continue as the centre-half pairing.

Experienced defender Younes Kaboul is in line for a possible return to action, however key attacker Jeremain Lens is likely to miss the game through a groin injury. Midfielder Yann M’Vila is struggling with a foot injury, however is expected to be fit enough to take his place in the side, come Saturday.

Liverpool expected XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Lucas, Milner, Ibe, Firmino, Lallana.

Sunderland expected XI: Mannone, Jones, O’Shea, Kone, Van Aanholt, Kirchhoff, Khazri, Cattermole, M’Vila, Borini, Defoe.

Head-to-head 

This is a fixture in which Sunderland generally struggle, and you’d have to go back to March 2012 for the last time the Black Cats tasted success, a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. Of the last 10 meetings between the sides, this is Sunderland’s lone victory, while Liverpool have emerged victorious six times, with three draws.

Of further concern going into this match is that Sunderland have not scored in the last three matches against Liverpool.

Previous Meeting

The sides last met in the North-East in a match which never really hit any great heights. An unimpressive Liverpool scored the winner in the first minute of the second half through Christian Benteke, to escape with a 1-0 victory.

Prediction

With both sides recently struggling for form, this match should go right down to the wire. The first goal will be key for either side – should the visitors score first, Sunderland would look to sit deep and hang on for dear life. If the Reds draw first blood, this will force Sunderland to come out and play, leaving gaps in behind for the speedy front three. Depending on the first goal, this game could go either way, however the stats lead one to believe Sunderland’s horrendous Anfield record looks set to continue.

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 1 

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