Source: SKY_Sports
Liverpool v Sunderland preview
Liverpool will be aiming to keep their slim title dreams alive when they play host to Sunderland on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports 2.
The Reds saw their faltering challenge take another blow at the weekend after going down 2-0 at struggling Middlesbrough.
The defeat leaves Rafa Benitez's men seven points behind leaders Manchester United having played a game more than their arch-rivals.
The home side will be missing Fernando Torres again after he failed to recover from an ankle problem which forced him out of the Boro game.
Steven Gerrard is expected to start despite coming off against Boro late on with a touch of cramp.
Dirk Kuyt is likely to continue in attack, but Ryan Babel and Nabil El Zhar should make way after failing to impress on Teesside.
Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera should return to the starting line-up after being on the bench at the weekend.
Defensive duo Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger are sidelined with hamstring and back problems respectively.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been declared fit to play against his old club after recovering from an ankle problem which ruled him out of the recent draw at Arsenal.
Kenwyne Jones is also in the squad after shaking off a knee knock and he is expected to partner Cisse up front.
Midfield pair Steed Malbranque (calf) and Teemu Tanio (knee) are hoping to recover in time to start for Ricky Sbragia's side.
Nyron Nosworthy is out with a hamstring problem, but Phil Bardsley is back from suspension for the Black Cats.
Possible starting XIs:
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano, Alonso, Riera, Kuyt, Gerrard.
Sunderland Fulop, Ben-Haim, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Richardson, Reid, Cisse, Jones.
