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Both the sides come into the fixture after a mixed few weeks behind them. Liverpool have won five out of their last seven games but defeats to Aston Villa and Stoke City have been disheartening while Sunderland defeated Southampton and champions City but lost their last game to Tottenham Hotspurs. Liverpool would be looking for all three points while Martin O’Neil would be satisfied with a single point too.
Brendan Rodgers has said that his team are looking for a good run of games in early 2013, starting from this fixture. And they must do so if they want to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
News: It is widely rumored that Daniel Sturridge, who is expected to complete his switch to Merseyside, will be watching the game from the stands.
Injuries: Martin Kelly, Fabio Borini, Jose Enrique.
Enrique suffered a hamstring against QPR and is likely to miss this fixture, thus Downing would be pushed back to LB. No other recent injuries, although Brendan Rodgers would be back on the sidelines.
Line-Up (Probably): Starting XI – Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel,Downing, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Sterling, Suarez, Henderson.Subs- Jones, Carragher, Assaidi, Suso, Coates, Wisdom.
This is the most likely team although I’d prefer to rest Sterling and give Assaidi a chance.
Key Players : Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard will be key to breaking the Sunderland defence.
Formation : 4-2-1-2-1
Sunderland
Squad : Mignolet, Rose, Cuellar, Kigallon, Gardner, McClean, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher
Injuries : Lee Cattermole, Wes Brown, John O’Shea.
Formation : 4-4-2
Key Players : Steven Fletcher, Both the CB’s.
Key Clashes :
1. Lusi Suarez vs. Sunderland CB’s: The men who guard the Sunderland defence would need to contain Luis Suarez or else, he could run riot. But, Suarez is in top form and they would need to do their best.
2. Steven Fletcher vs. Daniel Agger: Agger would need to carry his form from the last game to ensure Fletcher does not add anymore goals to his tally.
