Liverpool may have stopped the bleeding with a vital 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, but Arne Slot’s side faces a very different proposition this Wednesday
Sunderland arrive at Anfield not as relegation fodder, but as a top-six side with the investment, squad depth, and resilience to match.
While the “promoted” tag technically applies to the Black Cats, their presence in the Premier League’s upper echelons, currently sitting 6th with 22 points, belies their status.
Under manager Régis Le Bris, they have shed the skin of a Championship outfit almost immediately,
To call Sunderland a “promoted team” feels increasingly disingenuous given their summer activity.
The hierarchy at the Stadium of Light sanctioned a staggering spend north of £150 million, signaling their intent not just to survive, but to compete.
The arrival of Granit Xhaka (£13m) from Bayer Leverkusen has been the catalyst; the former Arsenal captain has provided elite leadership and control in midfield.
Alongside him, big-money acquisitions like Habib Diarra (£30m) and Enzo Le Fée (£19m) have added technical quality that few newly promoted sides possess
Sunderland’s expensively assembled quality was on full display last weekend in a thrilling resilience test against Bournemouth. Trailing 0-2 within 15 minutes at the Stadium of Light, lesser sides might have folded.
Instead, Sunderland roared back with a 3-2 win. Cherries boss Andoni Iroala even claimed that one cannot see Sunderland as a “promoted” side.
And ahead of the clash, both sides are missing some players.
Jeremie Frimpong
The summer signing remains sidelined with a hamstring injury—his second of the season. It is not expected that he returns for the midweek clash against Sunderland or the weekend trip to Leeds.
A comeback is currently targeted for mid-December, potentially for the match against Brighton on December 13.
Conor Bradley
Bradley is also unavailable due to a muscle injury sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland in mid-November.
Slot was pessimistic about a quick recovery, stating he did not expect the defender back for “22 days” from the time of the injury unless a “miracle” occurs. Like Frimpong, he is targeting a return around mid-December.
Giovanni Leoni
The young Italian defender faces a long road to recovery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup back in September.
Milos Kerkez
There is positive news for the left-back, who was substituted late in the win against West Ham after appearing to be in discomfort. Arne Slot confirmed post-match that Kerkez was merely suffering from cramp.
However, with Leeds to come on the weekend, perhaps Andy Robertson will be preferred on Wednesday evening.
Sunderland
Aji Alese
The centre-back has been out since August after undergoing shoulder surgery. While he was initially targeting a return after the November international break, his recovery has been gradual.
He remains sidelined for the Liverpool match and is not expected to return to full first-team action until later in December
Dennis Cirkin
Cirkin has endured a frustrating six-month absence due to complications from a severe wrist injury sustained last season, compounded by a knee issue.
There is positive news, however: he has recently returned to action with the U21s, playing 90 minutes against Sporting CP in late November.
While likely short of match fitness for a start at Anfield, he is nearing a first-team return.
Leo Fuhr Hjelde
Like Cirkin, Hjelde is on the comeback trail after missing the start of the season with an Achilles injury. He also featured for the U21s in their recent victory over Sporting CP, playing 45 minutes to build fitness.
He is expected to be reintegrated into the senior squad soon
Habib Diarra
The summer signing has been out since September with a groin injury that required surgery. His rehabilitation is progressing well, but manager Régis Le Bris has confirmed the club will not rush him back. He is ruled out of the Liverpool clash.
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