BETTING GUIDE:Liverpool Vs Sunderland, match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 5min | Tue. 02.12.25. | 21:24
Both clubs enter the clash with momentum, but their trajectories, ambitions and internal pressures differ significantly, creating the conditions for a compelling midweek contest
Liverpool return to Anfield in a fixture that arrives at a defining moment in their early-season narrative, as they prepare to host a Sunderland side whose self-belief has soared after a historic comeback at the weekend.
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While the Reds ended their own rut with a 2-0 win over West Ham, questions linger over whether that victory marked the beginning of a genuine revival or simply a brief pause in what has been an unsteady start under Arne Slot.
Their opponents, Sunderland, make the trip buoyed by a thrilling 3-2 turnaround against Bournemouth, overturning a 2-0 deficit to earn what many supporters have already labelled their most spirited Premier League performance in years.
Both clubs enter the clash with momentum, but their trajectories, ambitions and internal pressures differ significantly, creating the conditions for a compelling midweek contest.
For Liverpool, the weekend’s win offered emotional relief as much as tactical reassurance.
Their three-match losing streak, all by a three-goal margin, had left both fans and pundits questioning the structural balance of Slot’s approach.
Yet against West Ham, there was a renewed sense of control and discipline, helped admittedly by Lucas Paquetá’s bizarre dismissal, but the Reds still needed to impose their quality in critical zones of the pitch.
Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal for the club arrived at a timely moment, breaking a seven-game drought and restoring a measure of confidence to a forward line that had looked disconnected in previous outings.
Cody Gakpo’s late clincher added polish to what ultimately felt like a stabilising performance.
Although Mohamed Salah spent the match on the bench, his absence became less of a talking point and more of a reflection of Slot’s shifting attacking priorities.
Whether the Egyptian returns to the starting lineup or remains a strategic option from the bench, the key issue for Liverpool is generating momentum, as they sit eighth in the table with 21 points - just three behind third-placed Chelsea, showing how tight the cluster for European positions remains.
Sunderland, meanwhile, arrive at Anfield with spirits high after scripting a comeback that will live long in the club’s Premier League memory. Down 2-0 to Bournemouth after early strikes from Amine Adli and Tyler Adams, their response was emblematic of a team with character and belief under Regis Le Bris. Enzo Le Fée initiated the turnaround, followed by Bertrand Traoré’s equaliser, before substitute Brian Brobbey completed the dramatic comeback, his recent form increasingly nudging him toward a starting berth.
The victory ended a three-game winless run in the league and pushed Sunderland into sixth place, remarkably above Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United.
Their biggest challenge, however, remains consistency on the road. While they boast admirable defensive organisation away from home - conceding only six goals, one of the strongest tallies in the league - their attacking output has been the second-worst, with just three goals scored.
It is this imbalance that could define their approach at Anfield, as they must find a way to be more threatening without compromising the defensive structure that has kept them competitive.
Team news for Liverpool suggests minimal alterations to the side that triumphed over West Ham.
Curtis Jones may be asked to fill in at right-back, given Slot’s desire to manage Joe Gomez’s minutes carefully and with Conor Bradley still sidelined.
Milos Kerkez may also drop out for rotation, but key creative figures such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Gakpo should retain their spots.
Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong and Bradley remain unavailable, leaving Slot with reduced depth at defensive positions. Sunderland’s situation is more stable.
Aji Alese and Habib Diarra are ruled out, but the remainder of the squad is fit, meaning Le Bris has the option to adjust personnel or maintain continuity.
Brobbey’s recent scoring influence gives him a strong case to start, while Lutsharel Geertruida could be brought in to reinforce defensive stability, especially against a Liverpool attack that thrives on movement between the lines.
Tactically, Liverpool will look to impose their typical rhythm at home, seeking to control possession, press high and stretch Sunderland’s compact defensive shape.
Their challenge will be unlocking an opponent that defends with numerical discipline and thrives in moments of transition.
Sunderland’s away strategy this season has been defined by structure first, with their midfield anchors working laterally to limit central penetration, forcing opponents wide.
The Black Cats will expect long phases without the ball but will aim to exploit turnovers, particularly through Le Fée’s creativity and Traoré’s ability to carry the ball into advanced areas.
Liverpool’s defensive line must remain alert, as Sunderland’s capacity to strike late, as seen in their comeback heroics, continues to be one of their defining traits this season.
Historically, this matchup has been almost entirely one-sided at Anfield. Sunderland have not beaten Liverpool away in the Premier League era, with their last league victory on Merseyside coming in 1983.
Liverpool are unbeaten in the last ten league meetings, while recent trends indicate that when Liverpool score first, they tend to control matches from start to finish - a streak that has held in all thirteen of their league fixtures this season.
Sunderland will take encouragement from the fact that four of their last five matches have seen both teams score, demonstrating an increasing ability to respond even when games drift away from them.
However, the defensive limitations they occasionally show could become problematic, especially with Liverpool’s fullbacks encouraged to advance aggressively.
Liverpool enter this encounter knowing that failure to win could stall the momentum they desperately need. Sunderland, ambitious yet pragmatic, recognise that a point at Anfield would represent a significant statement.
But their lack of cutting edge away from home and Liverpool’s historical dominance in these fixtures shift the balance toward the hosts.
The emotional lift from the Kop, combined with Liverpool’s strong record against promoted sides, positions them as favourites, but the vulnerability they have shown this season keeps the door open for a Sunderland breakthrough should concentration lapse.
Key Pointers
Liverpool have won their last 12 Premier League matches at home against promoted sides.
Sunderland have scored just three away league goals this season, the second-worst tally in the division.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last ten Premier League meetings with Sunderland.
Four of Sunderland’s last five league games have seen both teams score.
Prediction; Liverpool Win
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