Sunderland face a mountainous task when they face Liverpool on Saturday with the Reds unbeaten at home against the Black Cats in Premier League history.
The club’s last win over the Reds, who sit second in the table, came in 2011 with the Black Cats’ winning just two of their last 20 games against the Reds.
But when they have Defoe, they have a chance.
The striker netted his 150th Premier League goal in last weekend’s crushing win over Hull City, and he’s played a part in 21 of the Lads’ 41 goals in 2016 (51% - 18 goals, 3 assists).
Victor Anichebe is also firing on all cylinders and the powerful forward is aiming to score in three successive top-flight appearances for the first time, having netted three times in his last two games.
The Reds also boast a wealth of attacking talent and no players have combined to create more chances for one another in the Premier League this season than Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho (16).
James Milner also has history with Sunderland and it doesn’t make for kind reading for those in red and white, with the England international scoring more goals against the Black Cats than any other side (5).
Daniel Sturridge, who will be pushing for a start after the Reds fired blanks against Southampton last weekend, has been directly involved in five goals in his last three appearances against the Lads (3 goals, 2 assists).
And the England international’s hopes of a recall are further enhanced when analysing Jurgen Klopp’s selection methods, with the German yet to name an unchanged PL starting XI since his second game in charge (40 games).
Should Sunderland win a penalty they will back themselves to score with the Black Cats netting their last 21 successive spot kicks, the longest run in the Premier League which dates back to December 2011.
