Liverpool vs Sunderland team news: Steven Gerrard rested again by Brendan Rodgers

Captain on the bench for visit of Sunderland

Steven Gerrard has been rested again by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

The captain was left out of the last starting XI at Anfield, the 1-0 win over Stoke, before being reinstated in midweek for the victory over Leicester City in which he scored.

LIVE: Liverpool vs Sunderland

It seems Rodgers has an eye on the crucial Champions League tie against Basel next Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Coutinho comes back into the side but Jose Enrique remains on the bench as he returns from a knee injury.

For the visitors, Adam Johnson and Wes Brown come back into the starting line-up having missed the midweek defeat to Manchester City.

Steven Fletcher can only make it onto the bench as he continues to struggle with a back injury.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Moreno, Toure, Skrtel, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana, Lambert

Subs: Jones, Enrique, Lovren, Gerrard, Can, Allen, Markovic

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea, Brown, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Altidore.

Subs: Cattermole, Rodwell, Fletcher, Alvarez, Buckley, T Robson, Mannone.