Liverpool hosts Sunderland today knowing that a win will see Arne Slot's side leapfrog this season's surprise package in the Premier League.
The Black Cats came up through the Championship play-offs and many expected them to struggle during their first campaign back in the top flight in almost a decade. However, they have won six of their opening 13 games – including a dramatic comeback win over Bournemouth on Saturday – and currently sit sixth in the standings.
Liverpool, meanwhile, sits eighth after Sunday's slump-arresting victory against West Ham, which was secured by a first league goal for his new club by Alexander Isak as well as a late strike from Cody Gakpo.
There has been no in-between for Liverpool in the league this term – the Reds are the only team in the Premier League yet to record a draw this season.
In fact, you have to go all the way down to Welling United in the Isthmian Premier League – which is the seventh tier of the English soccer pyramid – to find another team that has not yet drawn a league game.
As for Liverpool's possible team against Sunderland – Alisson received treatment after a collision with Joe Gomez at West Ham but completed the game, and Slot said afterwards that his 'keeper was fine.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has not been a notably bad deputy when required, but he is clearly not in Alisson's league, and the Brazilian will be hoping for an injury-free run of games now.
At right-back, Gomez should continue if his knee issue allows him to play twice in four days, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk partnering up in the middle.
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez started a league game for the first time in 2025, as Liverpool overcame West Ham (Image: 2025 Izzy Poles - AMA)
Andy Robertson could reasonably expect to start in one of the next two games, considering Liverpool is currently in the midst of a run of four games in 10 days. A start for the Scot here, with Milos Kerkez returning against Leeds on Saturday, is plausible.
Liverpool's best midfield three remains Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but Curtis Jones is an option to come in if Slot wants to shuffle his pack amid the. busy schedule.
Mohamed Salah could return, but who should he come in for? Cody Gakpo registered a goal and an assist at the London Stadium, while Florian Wirtz produced an encouraging showing in East London.
Alexander Isak will be champing at the bit to score again after breaking his duck against West Ham, but Hugo Ekitike is also waiting in the wings – and the Swede's fitness still needs to be carefully managed.
When it comes to predicting Liverpool's line-up for the game, it all just depends on how much Slot intends to rotate in a bid to keep his players fresh.
Predicted Liverpool team versus Sunderland: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Ekitike