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Liverpool got back to winning ways against struggling West Ham at the weekend, but plenty of questions remain ahead of Sunderland's visit to Anfield.
Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the Reds at the London Stadium and Florian Wirtz put in arguably his best performance since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
Isak and Wirtz were allowed to shine in part due to Arne Slot's decision to bench Mohamed Salah.
The star forward will hope to return against Sunderland, who have been superb on their Premier League return and sit a point better off than their hosts going into the match.
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Liverpool lineup vs. Sunderland: Predicted starting XI
Formation 4-2-3-1
Alisson (GK)
Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez
Szoboszlai, Gravenberch
Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo
Ekitike
Liverpool team news
Slot said at his pre-match news conference that Joe Gomez, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak would not be able to play three matches in a week after returning to fitness.
Hugo Ekitike could rotate in at centre-forward but Slot may be tempted to keep Wirtz in rhythm after his encouraging showing at West Ham.
Mohamed Salah should return in his familar right-wing berth, with the added insurance of Gomez behind him at right-back. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are not yet ready to return.
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Liverpool injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Liverpool, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Conor Bradley
Injury: Muscle
Expected return date: December 13
Slot said Bradley had sustained a muscle injury during the international break in November and would not be involved for "the upcoming 22 days".
The home game with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13 looks like a possible return date.
Jereme Frimpong
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: December 6
Frimpong suffered the second hamstring injury of his fledgling Liverpool career in Frankfurt. Slot said the former Bayer Leverkusen star is not likely to be back until early December.
Giovanni Leoni
Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
Expected return date: August 2026
Summer signing Leoni suffered a nightmare debut as he horrifically tore an ACL against Southampton. The Italian defender underwent immediate surgery and his campaign has already been cruelly ended.
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Liverpool vs. Sunderland match details
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m.
Location: Anfield (Liverpool, UK)
Competition: Premier League, matchweek 14
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Timothy Wood
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