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. The Reds have already lost three games this season - more than they did in the whole of their last campaign.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.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.Liverpool have beaten Sunderland in their last six meetings, indeed they have not conceded against the Black Cats since 2002.But current form is very much in Sunderland's favour - who almost grabbed victory at Old Trafford last time out.Sunderland have also won their last four home games in the league and will be looking to take Liverpool's scalp.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.Zenden debut?The former Liverpool man is awaiting international clearance, but he could very well feature against his former club.Indeed Zenden is an option to start at left-back in place of the suspended Kieran Richardson.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.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.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.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.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.Should Jones be ruled out, then Fraizer Campbell will be ready to come in.Liverpool are also counting the cost of the international schedule, with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both ruled out.Both Gerrard and Torres picked up groin injuries whilst with England and Spain respectively, and those problems ruled them out of their midweek games.Now having returned to Liverpool for treatment, the Reds have confirmed that neither will feature on Wearside.There was also a concern over Dirk Kuyt - who suffered an ankle injury during Holland's trip to Australia, but he will start.Kuyt is now set to lead the line, and fellow countryman Ryan Babel could join him in attack.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.Benitez is also waiting to see how his South Americans - Javier Mascherano, Emiliano Insua and Lucas - are when they report back on Friday.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.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.Possible starting XIs:Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Turner, McCartney, Malbranque, Cattermole, Cana, Reid, Jones, BentLiverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Babelhere

Source: SKY_Sports