Liverpool face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time in almost nine years this Wednesday.
The Black Cats have made a stunning return to the top division after falling down as far as League One in the previous decade.
Their last stint amongst the elite went horribly wrong, as they were relegated bottom of the Premier League table with only 24 points.
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium
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Despite their lowly status, Liverpool failed to beat Sunderland during their most recent clash; a meeting at the Stadium of Light in January 2017.
The game finished 2-2, with goals from Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane cancelled out by a Jermain Defoe double. As the pair prepare to lock horns once more, Rousing The Kop look back at what was an under-strength XI from Jurgen Klopp on that day.
Defence – Trent Alexander-Arnold yet to blossom
Liverpool were not especially good defensively during 2016/17, something their two goals conceded at the Premier League’s bottom club ably demonstrates.
Part of the issue was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who was playing out his final season as the Reds’ first choice.
Sadio Mane and Daniel Sturridge celebrate after Sturridge scores for Liverpool against Sunderland in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Mignolet was supported by a defence who were yet to resemble the force they would become under Klopp.
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With Trent Alexander-Arnold yet to fully break through, Nathaniel Clyne started at right-back, while James Milner continued his impressive season at left-back. Alberto Moreno took over at half-time.
Liverpool’s pre-Virgil van Dijk centre-back partnerships may remain nightmare-inducing for supporters, and Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren represent a particularly bad combination in that respect.
Midfield – Jordan Henderson misses out
Liverpool came to have a distinguished midfield three during their successful period under Klopp, but only one of that trio started at the Stadium of Light.
Gini Wijnaldum kept things ticking along, before being replaced by Divock Origi as the Reds chased a winning goal.
Both Adam Lallana and Emre Can lasted the full 90 minutes, with captain Jordan Henderson nursing an injury.
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Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Attack – Klopp’s front three takes shape
If the rest of the team was still a far cry from what Klopp’s eventual European and English champions later became, the attack was only one step away from being completed.
Sadio Mane was having a super debut season after arriving from Southampton, and it was the Senegalese who gave Liverpool a late lead in this New Year’s fixture.
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino was already well-established at the club as he enjoyed a good second season. It was the Brazilian who led the line in the North East.
And where Mohamed Salah would soon enter the picture, Daniel Sturridge was trusted on this occasion. Sturridge bagged the opening goal before being replaced by Lucas Leiva with 10 minutes left to play.
Lucas’ arrival signalled a switch to a more defensive approach as Liverpool attempted to hold on to a valuable three points. Sadly, it was not to be as a late Defoe penalty meant the points were shared.
Liverpool XI vs Sunderland 02/01/17: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner (Moreno), Can, Wijnaldum (Origi), Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Sturridge (Lucas)
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