Liverpool lost top spot in the Premier League and failed to score for the third time this season in a 0-0 draw with Southampton last weekend.
The Reds badly missed the injured Adam Lallana and struggled to find the net on a rainy day in St Mary’s.
Brazilian pair Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino also looked average, possibly as a result of their excursions to South America for the international break.
It was by no means a poor performance by Jurgen Klopp’s men – a point away at a side who have qualified for Europe two seasons running is no mean feat.
The often leaky Liverpool defence also held firm as their attackers faltered, although the Saints rarely threatened.
Nonetheless, they now face a Sunderland side high in confidence after claiming back-to-back Premier League victories over Bournemouth and Hull City – leaving them potentially one more victory short of escaping the relegation zone.
With that in mind, Klopp needs to pick the perfect starting XI for Saturdays clash.
GK – LORIS KARIUS
Loris Karius didn’t have a lot to do in the last game as the Saints managed only three shots – none of which were on target.
The German might be hoping for another quiet afternoon against Sunderland, but he will have to be wary.
The Black Cats’ strikeforce of Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe have scored a combined five goals in the last two games, and will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a keeper who has started his Anfield career somewhat shakily.
RB – NATHANIEL CLYNE
Nathaniel Clyne had a solid game against his old club last time out as the Reds kept only their second clean sheet.
According to Whoscored, the 25-year-old managed seven tackles – the best of any Liverpool player – and even got forward to provide a good chance from a cross.
With whoever plays in front of him likely to be charged with finding a way through the Sunderland defence, Clyne will have to be defensively responsible again but may get the chance to venture forward on the overlap.
CB – DEJAN LOVREN
Another man facing his old club last weekend, Dejan Lovren continued his improvement under Jurgen Klopp with an assured display against the Saints.
The Croatian looked a lot more confident dealing with the likes of Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond than he did at any point at the start of his Anfield career under Brendan Rodgers.
Should the Reds struggle to fire again, Klopp will be looking to his backline to keep Sunderland out in the hope he can grab a late win.
CB – JOEL MATIP
While their attacking tactics have seen them struggle to keep clean sheets, Liverpool have looked a lot more solid with Joel Matip in defence.
The Reds have only conceded more than two goals once in the ten games the Cameroonian has played and are also unbeaten in that time.
Matip showed his importance last time out and managed three interceptions and two clearances in the last game against Southampton (as per Whoscored).
He will have to be on form again to deal with the physical threat of Victor Anichebe.
LB – JAMES MILNER
While pundits and fans alike are still adamant that Liverpool need a new left-back, James Milner keeps on putting in consistent performances for the Reds.
The hard-working utility player is yet to be found out defensively and is doing a good job contributing to the attacking phases of play as well.
Milner’s tendency to play on his right foot could actually help the Reds should Sunderland play a narrow formation, although he will have to be wary of the threat England under-21 midfielder Duncan Watmore poses.
CM – EMRE CAN
Liverpool’s midfield trio of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Wijnaldum didn’t really click against Southampton.
All three players like to get up and down the pitch, with Can and Wijnaldum in particular seeming to fill similar roles.
Of the two, the German would be more likely to start. Not only is he better in defence, but his physicality will come in very useful against a team likely to try and out-strengthen the Reds rather that outplay them.
Not just a bulldozer in midfield however, Can will look to get into the box and fire a few shots on goal.
CM – JORDAN HENDERSON
Jordan Henderson is likely to be the first name on the team sheet as a result of his consistent form this season.
The Liverpool captain has completed the most passes in the Premier League this season – 975 according to Squawka – and has done so with an impressive 88% accuracy.
In this formation, Henderson would form the double-pivot with Emre Can where he will be responsible for winning the ball and recycling possession as he has done so well in the past.
CAM – PHILIPPE COUTINHO
A slight tweak in Liverpool’s formation may be in order to compensate for the absence of Adam Lallana.
We’ve opted to move Philippe Coutinho back, either as part of a midfield three or in a number 10 role behind the striker.
Both Coutinho and Mane found themselves dropping deep against Southampton, so using the Brazilian as a link between midfield and attack is a logical move.
The 24-year-old should provide the thrust that Liverpool missed so much in the last game and plenty of chances for the trio up front.
RW – SADIO MANE
Sadio Mane didn’t have the best of times against Southampton last weekend.
The Senegalese found himself starved of his regular service and having to come back to receive the ball, but was also wasteful in front of goal.
He is likely to come back with a bang against Sunderland however – indeed, he has managed five of his six goals at home, with only Eden Hazard scoring more throughout the Premier League.
With Patrick van Aanholt a fan of roaming up the wing on the Black Cats’ left-hand side, Mane should find himself with plenty of opportunities to improve his tally.
LW – ROBERTO FIRMINO
Another guilty party in failing to put away chances in the last game was Roberto Firmino.
Possibly a result of being jet-lagged after travelling with the Brazilian national team, Firmino didn’t look as sharp as usual and only managed one shot on target from three attempts – including an easy one-on-one.
While we’re unlikely to see a repeat of that, we would have the Brazilian take up Coutinho’s role on the left and look to provide – something that shouldn’t be a problem for a man who bagged seven assists in 24 games last season.
ST – DANIEL STURRIDGE
While it’s understandable that Jurgen Klopp has kept Daniel Sturridge on the bench for most of this season, he should have been given more time to make an impact in the last game.
The striker had less than 15 minutes to make an impact against Southampton despite the fact they were desperate for a goal and he’s still their best finisher on paper.
Sturridge showed he still has the striker’s touch with a predatory header against Scotland in the international break and would likely only need one or two chances to score against Sunderland.