Sunderland hit the road this weekend travelling to Anfield on Saturday to take on high-flying Liverpool (KO 3pm).
Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit second in the Premier League following a sensational start to the season, but they stuttered last time out drawing 0-0 with Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Black Cats, meanwhile, have enjoyed their best spell of the campaign so far picking up back-to-back top-flight wins against AFC Bournemouth and Hull City.
Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe found the net in both games and with his strikers firing David Moyes will be quietly optimistic, with his counterpart Klopp warning against underestimating the rejuvenated Black Cats.
Saturday’s game will be Sunderland’s first trip to the newly redeveloped Anfield with their last visit to the red side of Merseyside ending in style as they rescued a 2-2 draw.
But victories at Anfield have been few and far between for the Black Cats who last won a league game at the famous stadium in 1983.
Sunderland face changes ahead of the game with the Lads rocked by the news that Paddy McNair will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a campaign-ending knee injury against Hull.
With Lee Cattermole also ruled out, Steven Pienaar is likely to come into the starting XI after missing last weekend’s win due to suspension.
Seb Larsson and Jan Kirchhoff have both returned to training and both completed 90 minutes for the under-23s earlier this week, but both are unlikely to face the Reds with Fabio Borini making good progress.
Liverpool haven’t named an unchanged side in 40 Premier League games – Klopp’s second game at the helm – but they could do so this weekend with Adam Lallana once again unavailable due to a groin strain.
But after the Reds fired blanks on the south coast, England international Daniel Sturridge will be hoping to earn a starting berth and a chance to impress.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are sold out.
If you can’t make the game, then don’t fear because we have every base covered with extensive coverage on safc.com and on Twitter by following @SunderlandAFC.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be on air from 2pm.
