Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Saturday, 17 October 2009 Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, Final Score, full match commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM & highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
**Sunderland’s new signing Bolo Zenden could feature against his former club if he gains international clearance.**But the Black Cats will be without Kieran Richardson, who is suspended after his red card at Old Trafford.
Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard (groin) and Fernando Torres (abdomen) after the pair were injured during the midweek internationals.
Defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos faces a lengthy lay-off after injuring his knee in Greece’s win over Luxembourg.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "They [Gerrard and Torres] are both at roughly the same stage of their recovery, they are close, but they will not be ready for this match.
"We are hoping both players are ready for the Champions League game against Lyon at Anfield on Tuesday.
“These international breaks are always difficult for club managers, you just have to hope your players come back safely.”
Sunderland
Suspended: Richardson (1 match)
Doubtful: Zenden (international clearance) Injured: None
Liverpool
Suspended: None Doubtful: None
Injured: Aquilani (ankle), Kyrgiakos (knee), Gerrard (groin), Torres (abdomen)
MATCH PREVIEW
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce surprised many by awarding substitute David Beckham the man-of-the-match award after England’s 3-0 win over Belarus on Wednesday.
“If we play like we did at Old Trafford we have a hell of a chance”
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce
But Bruce and his Sunderland team have been full of surprises all season, holding Manchester United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last time out. A win on Saturday would put them above Liverpool and on the brink of the top four.
Rafa Benitez was warned over his future conduct by the FA this week but the Liverpool manager’s main concern is how to get his side back in the title race. They’ve already lost more games this season than in the whole of the 2008/09 campaign.
If there’s a team Liverpool have enjoyed playing in recent years though, it’s Sunderland. The Reds have won their last six Premier League matches against them without conceding a goal.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Sunderland have beaten Liverpool just once in 16 Premier League meetings. Liverpool have won ten and there have been five draws.
• Liverpool have won their last six games against Sunderland without conceding a goal.
• It is nine hours and five minutes since Sunderland last scored against Liverpool. Michael Proctor got the goal in a 2-1 win in December 2002.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on this match
Sunderland
• Have won their last four home games in all competitions, scoring 13 goals.
• Darren Bent has scored in Sunderland’s last four league matches.
• Steve Bruce could record an unwelcome century this weekend, having lost 99 Premier League games as manager.
Liverpool
• Haven’t lost back-to-back matches since December 2007, when beaten by Reading and Manchester United.
• Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and Javier Mascherano have all made 99 appearances for Liverpool.
• Liverpool have had more shots on target (91) than any other club this season.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Sunderland
Bent: 7 goals (7 league); Jones: 5 goals (5 league)
Liverpool
Torres: 8 goals (8 league); Kuyt: 4 goals (3 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant referees: Andy Newbold & Robert Madley
Fourth official: Neil Swarbrick
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
**Sunderland **(D2-2 v Man Utd, a): Gordon; Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, Richardson, Malbranque (McCartney 86), Cana, Cattermole, Reid (Henderson 74), Bent, Jones (Campbell 84). Subs not used: Fulop, Nosworthy, Da Silva, Healy.
**Liverpool **(L0-2 v Chelsea, a): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua (Aurelio 83), Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas (Babel 76), Riera (Benayoun 67), Gerrard, Torres. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Ngog.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (03 March 2009)
Liverpool scorers: Ngog 52, Benayoun 65