Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool are aiming to build on their weekend victory over West Ham United as they welcome Sunderland to Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Reds brought an end to their three-game losing streak at the London Stadium thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, offering Arne Slot some much-needed respite during a gruelling period.
However, the pressure will quickly return if Liverpool fail to overcome newly promoted Sunderland on home soil.
The win lifted Liverpool back into the top half of the table, but they still trail their visitors.
The Black Cats sit one point ahead of the reigning champions after an astonishing start to the campaign, which has already included positive results against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Liverpool have conceded seven goals across humiliating home defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, and another emphatic setback on Wednesday could push Slot closer to the exit door.
Sunderland, meanwhile, know that a victory would see them match the points tally of Leicester City, last season’s highest-performing relegated side, already.
Mohamed Salah was left out of Liverpool’s starting XI against West Ham last weekend, and Arne Slot has once again excluded the Egyptian from the starting lineup for Wednesday’s visit of Sunderland to Anfield.
Liverpool make one change for tonight’s visit of Sunderland to Anfield.
Andy Robertson returns to the defence, replacing Milos Kerkez in the only alteration to the side that started in Sunday’s win over West Ham United
Speaking prior to kick-off, Arne Slot told Sky Sports: “I play the same team, it’s a balance between continuity and freshness.
“It’s obvious and clear we need the full squad tonight because a few who start aren’t able to play a full 90 again.
“More than ever, we need more than 11 players tonight.
“All the players have a chance to come in, Mo is definitely one of them. It’s a good thing we have players like Mo available on the bench.
“We haven’t had a long conversation. We spoke a lot after the Frankfurt game, and now not as much. He reacts like you want, a top professional.
“He trains really good and is positive towards his team-mates. He’s an example when he plays, and now he’s an example of how to act when you don’t play.”
For the first time under Slot, Mohamed Salah starts on the bench in consecutive Premier League matches.
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