7M - Match Preview: Sunderland vs Liverpool – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Two Premier League sides seeking an immediate return to winning ways meet at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, as Sunderland host reigning champions Liverpool. The teams last faced each other just over two months ago, playing out a 1-1 draw at Anfield where a late own goal from Nordi Mukiele earned Liverpool a point.

Match Preview

Liverpool appeared to be heading for a crucial victory in the final 10 minutes of Sunday's clash with Manchester City, but Bernardo Silva’s close-range finish canceled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s excellent free-kick, before Erling Haaland converted a 93rd-minute penalty to snatch a dramatic 2-1 win for the visitors.

This continued a concerning trend for the Reds, who have now conceded four 90th-minute winning goals in the league this season—the joint-highest tally in a single Premier League campaign, with 13 games still remaining. The defeat marks their eighth league loss this term, twice as many as they suffered in their title-winning campaign last season. Manager Arne Slot now faces a significant challenge to secure Champions League qualification, with his team sitting sixth, five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Liverpool are in poor form, with only one win in their last seven Premier League matches. However, they can take some confidence from an unbeaten run of 19 top-flight games against newly promoted sides. Conversely, their away form is a major concern: they have won just two of their last 10 league games on the road and have conceded 21 goals in 12 away matches this season—more than any other team in the division. Historically, all three of their Premier League defeats to Sunderland have come away from home, though they are unbeaten in their last five visits to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have been inconsistent lately, with three wins, four draws, and three losses in their last 10 league games, alternating between defeat and victory in their last five outings. Following a comfortable 3-0 home win over Burnley, they were beaten by the same scoreline away at league leaders Arsenal last weekend, dropping them to ninth in the table—just three points behind Liverpool in sixth.

Their strength has been at home, where they have taken 72.2% of their league points this season. They are the only Premier League team yet to lose at home, with a 12-game unbeaten streak representing the longest such run from the start of a top-flight season by a promoted club since 1977-78. Additionally, they have won three of their last five home league games against the reigning champions.

However, Sunderland are winless in their last 11 Premier League meetings with Liverpool and have a poor scoring record against them, averaging just 0.6 goals per game in 33 top-flight encounters.

Team News

Sunderland will be without Granit Xhaka and January signing Jocelin Ta Bi (both ankle), while a late decision will be made on Bertrand Traoré (knee). In midfield, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra are expected to start, with Enzo Le Fée supporting striker Brian Brobbey. Trai Hume and Chemsdine Talbi should feature on the wings.

For Liverpool, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez remain unavailable. Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended following his red card against Manchester City, likely leading to Curtis Jones starting at right-back. In attack, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah—who has not scored a league goal since November—are expected to start alongside Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo.

Prediction

Liverpool require a response after their recent setback, but Sunderland’s formidable home record and resilience make them difficult opponents. With the Reds not at their best, another tightly contested draw seems likely.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool