Source: Northern_Echo
Match Preview: Liverpool v Sunderland
LIVERPOOL Reina Johnson Carragher Agger Insua Kuyt Mascherano Aquilani Rodriguez Gerrard Torres[LNB] Bent Jones Malbranque Richardson Cattermole Campbell Bardsley Ferdinand Turner Hutton Gordon SUNDERLAND[LNB] Sunderland subs (from): Da Silva, McCartney, Henderson, Cana, Benjani, Kilgallon, Carson (gk), Zenden, Meyler, Noble. Liverpool subs: Kelly, Benayoun, Kyrgiagos, Lucas, Babel, Cavalieri (gk), Ngog.[LNB] SUNDERLAND: Steve Bruce is nearing a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of tomorrow's trip to Anfield. Kenwyne Jones is expected to be involved after sitting out the trip to Aston Villa in midweek. John Mensah has not recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him off at Villa Park with Anton Ferdinand expected to revert to central defence with Phil Bardsley and George McCartney contesting the left-back slot. Suspensions: None Injuries: Reid (hamstring), Mensah (hamstring) Leading league scorer: Bent 20 Last five League games: DWDWD Next game: Tottenham (h), 3/4[LNB] LIVERPOOL: Rafael Benitez knows about the importance of claiming three points from Sunderland and he has been boosted by the availability of his big players. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both available as the Reds look to put last weekend's defeat at Manchester United behind them. Suspensions: None Injuries: Aurelio (thigh), Skrtel (ankle) Leading league scorer: Torres 16 Last five League games: LWLWD Key player: Fernando Torres - the only man who looks like scoring for Liverpool at the moment.[LNB] Last season: 2-0 League head to head: Liverpool 64, Sunderland 50, Draws 31 Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke) G31 Y103 R4 Av: 3.45 Last Sunderland game: v Everton (a) 27/1/10, 2-0, Y1 R0 Odds: H evens; A9/4; D9/4[LNB] It's a fact: Sunderland have won only twice at Anfield since 1936 and the latest of those was in 1983. Comment by Paul Fraser: Sunderland have enjoyed a recent return to form so they could claim a point at Anfield. Prediction: 1-1[LNB]
