Game Week 14 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Sunderland

Liverpool vs Sunderland Preview: Fragile Reds host resilient Black Cats at Anfield; both teams to score expected in tight battle.

Liverpool has a chance to gain momentum with another win but, they must go through a defiant Sunderland to achieve this. How will this pan out? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Liverpool vs Sunderland

Anfield Stadium

9:15pm

Liverpool needs a run of good results to restore confidence, but the one they got last weekend at West Ham has done them some good, with the feel-good factor back in the fold.

The curse of the champions haunted Liverpool, and the Kops didn’t have an answer. They went from being assured to being shaky, and now we have to hope they have found their rhythm after the weekend win to give us an enthralling competition this season.

Sunderland is not a small fry this season. They have gotten points off the big boys and can do it against a Liverpool side that still looks fragile. Regis Le Bris has built a team that fights for everything till the very end; one should be excited about this game.

Picture this: the Black Cats conceded two early goals at home last weekend to Bournemouth, but before the 70th minute mark, Sunderland was not only level, but Brobbey had scored what proved to be the winner. Is there anyone stopping the resilient spirit of this Lancashire side?

Liverpool is, of course, the stronger side on paper, with quality in every department; however, the quality hasn’t been translated into performances on the pitch. What Sunderland lacks in quality, they have in abundance: grit and a collective sense of responsibility.

The Black Cats are accountable in possession; they defend together and know what to do with the ball whenever they have it. Liverpool will sweat for whatever they hope to get from this one, as it represents an opportunity to win back-to-back league games for them since the first five games of the season.

How will Liverpool approach this? Will Mohamed Salah be kept on the bench again? The Egyptian will be away at AFCON in Morocco after the weekend game anyway; you wonder if that would make Arne Slot play him or learn how to live without him.

Alexander Isak has scored his first league goal for the Kops already; now he’s going to be looking for the next one. Will he get it against the Black Cats? Will Hugo Ekitike get the nod to start? Who goes to the right back? Does Joe Gomez continue to get the nod?

For Sunderland, it’s about game management and bravery. They know how to soak up pressure; if they can be patient, with their pacey wingers hugging the line, they could test Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate with trickery and pace.

Verdict: Both teams to score.