Sunderland vs Liverpool. Premier League.
Stadium of LightAttendance46,494.
Monday 2 January 2017 14:52, UK
Jurgen Klopp faces a selection headache as he waits for injury news on Jordan Henderson ahead of their trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday.
The Reds captain was forced off during the New Year's Eve win with a heel problem, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
The manager will now have to decide how he will fill the gap that could be left by Henderson, with Adam Lallana, Divock Origi and Lucas Levia all potential options.
However, Klopp is refusing to let the busy festive period in English football be an excuse for a lacklustre performance as they look to maintain pressure on Chelsea at the top of the able.
"I've said enough about the fixtures and long ago we accepted it. No excuses for no-one - that's how everyone wants it. We have to deliver - and we will deliver," he said.
Sunderland continue to occupy the final relegation place and were beaten 4-1 by Burnley on Saturday, although a victory against Liverpool could briefly take them out of the drop zone if other results go their way.
However, the Black Cats are winless in their last four home Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, losing the last three with David Moyes winning just one of his last 16 league games as a manager against the Reds (D5 L10), winning 2-0 with Everton back in October 2010.
Aside from Henderson, Klopp has confirmed that Joel Matip and Philippe Coutinho will also be sidelined for the trip to the Stadium of Light with Danny Ings remaining a long-term absentee.
Sunderland's injury problems are also mounting up ahead of Monday's game after Lamine Kone and Victor Anichebe were forced off against Burnley.
Kone collided with an advertising hoarding and was unable to continue while Anichebe appeared to pull his hamstring in the loss at Turf Moor, a game in which Jason Denayer (hamstring) was not fit enough to feature.
Jordan Pickford (knee), Lee Cattermole (hip), Lynden Gooch (ankle), Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee) are all long-term injuries.
The Reds have won their last two visits to the Stadium of Light by a 1-0 scoreline, with a new signing scoring the winner both times (Lazar Markovic in 2014-15 and Christian Benteke in 2015-16).
Each of Liverpool's last five Premier League goals against Sunderland have come in the second half.
After a run of five Premier League games without a win at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats have won three of their last four, keeping two clean sheets (L1).
Liverpool have won their last two away games, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions; they last won three in a row without conceding in January 2015 - a run which included a victory at the Stadium on Light.
Jermain Defoe has scored nine of Sunderland's 17 Premier League goals this season - three times as many as any other player for the club (Anichebe & Van Aanholt, 3).
Defoe has scored in 130 different Premier League games; only four players have scored in more - Rooney (147), Lampard (149), Cole (149), Shearer (190).
Liverpool have their highest ever points tally after 19 games of a Premier League season (43), surpassing their tally of 42 points after 19 games in 2008-09.
Adam Lallana has made seven assists in the Premier League this season (in 17 appearances); his most ever in a single PL campaign.
David Moyes' said Sunderland's 4-1 loss at Burnley was one of the worst performances one of his teams has ever made in the Premier League - and that's a big statement because he's been around for a long time.
This is a perfect game for Liverpool and I can't see anything but an away win because Sunderland need to go for three points and that will play into Liverpool's hands.
Jurgen Klopp has complained there was only 48 hours since the last match and that might be a leveller against some teams, but not for Sunderland who have the skinniest of squads anyway.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3
Liverpool are 1/3 favourites ahead of their clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Monday afternoon. The Reds have won their last four, conceding just once in that sequence of matches, and it's fractionally odds-against at 11/10 for a win to nil for Jurgen Klopp's side.
The Black Cats suffered a big defeat at Burnley and are 8/1 for a surprise victory, with the draw on offer at 4/1, while Liverpool duo Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are the 7/2 favourites to score first.
