Source: SKY_Sports
Sunderland v Liverpool preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Sunderland host Liverpool knowing victory at the Stadium of Light will lift them above the Merseyside giants.[LNB] The Reds have already lost three games this season - more than they did in the whole of their last campaign.[LNB]Liverpool have dropped down to sixth and will be desperate to ensure they do not lose touch with Chelsea and Manchester United at the summit.[LNB]Rafa Benitez needs to pick his side up from their last outing when they went down 2-0 at Chelsea, but history is on their side as they travel to Wearside.[LNB]Liverpool have beaten Sunderland in their last six meetings, indeed they have not conceded against the Black Cats since 2002.[LNB]But current form is very much in Sunderland's favour - who almost grabbed victory at Old Trafford last time out.[LNB]Sunderland have also won their last four home games in the league and will be looking to take Liverpool's scalp.[LNB]Black Cats chief Steve Bruce has even had the chance to bolster his squad during the international break by bringing in Boudewijn Zenden on a free transfer.[LNB]Zenden debut?The former Liverpool man is awaiting international clearance, but he could very well feature against his former club.[LNB]Indeed Zenden is an option to start at left-back in place of the suspended Kieran Richardson.[LNB]George McCartney would be the obvious option - but he missed Northern Ireland's clash with Czech Republic in midweek with a foot problem and he remains a major doubt.[LNB]Paulo da Silva would also come into contention, but he was involved in Paraguay's clash with Colombia on Wednesday and faces a long trip in order to make it back in time.[LNB]If neither da Silva or McCartney make it then Zenden could be pressed into duty at full-back, although he could also switch Phil Bardsley to left-back and possibly bring in Nyron Nosworthy to play on the right.[LNB]Travelling is also a major concern with Kenwyne Jones - who is facing a race to get back to Wearside, having played for Trinidad & Tobago against Mexico in Port of Spain on Wednesday evening.[LNB]Jones is not expected back in Sunderland until Friday afternoon and at that point Bruce will make a decision on whether he can continue his burgeoning striking partnership with Darren Bent.[LNB]Should Jones be ruled out, then Fraizer Campbell will be ready to come in.[LNB]Liverpool are also counting the cost of the international schedule, with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both ruled out.[LNB]Both Gerrard and Torres picked up groin injuries whilst with England and Spain respectively, and those problems ruled them out of their midweek games.[LNB]Now having returned to Liverpool for treatment, the Reds have confirmed that neither will feature on Wearside.[LNB]There was also a concern over Dirk Kuyt - who suffered an ankle injury during Holland's trip to Australia, but he will start.[LNB]Kuyt is now set to lead the line, and fellow countryman Ryan Babel could join him in attack.[LNB]One player definitely out is Greek stopper Sotirios Kyrgiakos - who it was reported had suffered suspected knee ligament damage, but he will only be out for around ten days.[LNB]Benitez is also waiting to see how his South Americans - Javier Mascherano, Emiliano Insua and Lucas - are when they report back on Friday.[LNB]One bonus for Benitez is that Danish defender Dan Agger is available for the first time this season and he could line-up in a three-man central defence at the Stadium of Light.[LNB]Yossi Benayoun and Fabio Aurelio - who both came on as substitutes last time out at Chelsea - will both be pushing for recalls, but Italian Alberto Aquilani is still not ready for his Premier League bow.[LNB]Possible starting XIs:Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Turner, McCartney, Malbranque, Cattermole, Cana, Reid, Jones, Bent[LNB]Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Babelhere [LNB]
