Liverpool vs Sunderland preview: Reds hoping to return to form against Black Cats
A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Anfield
It’s a big game for…
Jan Kirchoff: The former Bayern Munich centre-back had a howler on debut against Spurs at White Hart Lane as the Black Cats went down 4-1. He bounced back however, and after being moved to a holding midfield role against Manchester City in mid-week, Sam Allardyce was full of praise for the German. If Sunderland are to emerge with a result on Saturday, he will need to perform to a similar level.
Weird stat…
2: The last three fixtures between these two sides have only produced two goals. Christian Benteke and Lazar Markovic both scored in two 1-0 wins for Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.
Remember when…
Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard steamrolled Sunderland? The trio were fundamental in Liverpool’s 2012-13 title challenge, which ultimately failed. A double from Suarez, and a lovely chip from Sterling, however, saw the Reds build up momentum in a 3-0 win at Anfield.
Player to watch…
Patrick Van Aanholt: The Chelsea academy product has been a positive in another season of doom and gloom at the Stadium of Light. Van Aanholt scored two in the last three Black Cats matches – against Spurs and Bournemouth. They will be hoping he can cause Jurgen Klopp problems at Anfield.
Past three meetings…
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Benteke), Premier League, December 2015
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Markovic), Premier League, January 2015
Liverpool 0 Sunderland 0, Premier League, December 2014
Form guide…
Liverpool: LWWLDL
Sunderland: WLWLDL
Vital information…
KICK-OFF TIME: 3pm Saturday
TV: Highlights on BBC1
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