Liverpool (possible, 4-2-3-1): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky; Maxi, Poulsen; Gerrard, Meireles, Cole; Torres.

Sunderland (possible, 4-5-1): Mignolet; Bardsley, Onuoha, Bramble, Da Silva; Al-Muhammadi, Henderson, Malbranque, Cattermole, Welbeck; Bent.
Referee: Stuart Attwell. Matches: 3. R1 Y19.

Tale of the game

Perhaps all the talk of nadirs is a little premature, given Liverpool's tough start to the season, but equally, there is not much of a positive spin you can put on a home defeat to Northampton.

Roy Hodgson was candid about Liverpool's shortcomings on Wednesday night, and nothing less than three points will be expected against a capable but limited Sunderland side.

Steve Bruce has problems of his own, with several key injuries to contend with as his side attempt to win for the first time in four games. Anton Ferdinand, Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah, Michael Turner are all doubts, while Kieran Richardson, Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell are all definitely out. However, Titus Bramble is expected to play despite his arrest for despoil during the week, while Lee Cattermole returns from suspension.

Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt remain sidelined for Liverpool, but apart from those two Hodgson has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from.

Last season: Sunderland 1 Liverpool 0; Liverpool 3 Sunderland 0.

Stat of the game: Sunderland have only scored one goal in their last eight league games against Liverpool. If you exclude goals that were deflected off beach balls, that figure drops to zero.

Match

Kops will nick this. I expect Liverpool to pour out its frustration of getting dumped out of Carling cup in midweek on Sunderland.
Liverpool are desperate to get their campaign back on track and they are set to obliterate anything on its path.
Liverpool 3-0

i hope we make use of this opportunity. its easier striking deathblows when you'r considered weak.

1 goal up. . . . .hoping for more

YNWA!

can this season be further worse?

we dwn 2 goals to 1 to SUNderLAND

loserpool 2-1 dwn darrenbent 2 goals

this season is just closing up already. cant wait for us to do away with those two yankee guinea pigs.

another DRAW at home fa?

Liverpool how market

Pathetic!!! The sooner they get things right,the better for their rich asses.