Liverpool stopped the rot with a win over West Ham last time out but face a sterner test tonight
'He is a top professional' - Slot praises Salah's reaction to being dropped for West Ham
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Liverpool appeared more like their old selves as they beat West Ham 2-0 last weekend, but face a sterner test against Premier League high-flyers Sunderland tonight at a ground that has proven unexpectedly tricky for the Reds in recent weeks – Anfield.
Back-to-back home defeats to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and PSV in the Champions League meant Liverpool endured a torrid week before heading to London Stadium, with pressure piling on manager Arne Slot.
But after the Dutchman made the big decision to drop Mohamed Salah against West Ham, £125m summer signing Alexander Isak scored his first top-flight goal for the club and they avoided a 10th defeat in 13 games.
Opting to stick with the winning formula, Slot has made the bold decision to bench Salah in back-to-back league games for the first time since he joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017.
Follow all the action live from Anfield here:
Liverpool v Sunderland Live
Liverpool host Sunderland at Anfield | Live on Sky Sports
Arne Slot opts to bench Mohamed Salah for a second consecutive Premier League game
Sunderland are sixth in the table, one point above eighth-place Reds
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Talbi, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Brobbey
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
16 mins: Liverpool have been trying to work it down the right but their crosses have come to little success so far, either being caught by Roefs or blocked entirely.
Sunderland try to break down the other end but Konate puts a stop to it - illegally, mind you - by bringing down Brobbey. Maybe lucky to escape a booking.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:32
1 hour ago
'Liverpool sloppy in possession'
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Liverpool have been sloppy in possession too many times in these first 13 minutes. Sunderland are showing the confidence of a team who kick off ahead of them in the table. It has the feel of an even contest.”
Richard Jolly at Anfield3 December 2025 20:29
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
9 mins: Liverpool haven’t been able to create much so far and their first shot at goal comes via a speculative effort from range.
That said, if you want anyone to be letting fly from 35 yards, Dominik Szoboszlai is up there. He catches it nicely and hits the target but it’s caught by Roefs.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:26
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
Those are not happy eyes, are they Mo.
( Peter Byrne/PA Wire )
( Peter Byrne/PA Wire )
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:24
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
7 mins: Another opening for the visitors as Le Fee darts into the box and gets to the byline before trying to cut it back towards Brobbey.
He can’t get the direction on it and the ball rolls through to Alisson.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:23
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
5 mins: Van Dijk looks to pass to Gakpo but sells the winger short, allowing Sunderland to break.
It’s shaky start by Liverpool, who are about to defend a Mukiele long throw.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:20
1 hour ago
Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
3 mins: Crunching challenge from Van Dijk leaves Brobbey down and hurt - no foul is given, but Sunderland keep going and whip an inviting ball into the box.
There’s no-one to meet it. Maybe there would’ve been if Brobbey was on his feet.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:19
1 hour ago
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
We are underway!
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:16
1 hour ago
Mo Salah back on the bench
Mohamed Salah is back starting a Liverpool game on the bench - and he’s wearing a full-head snood as if he doesn’t want to be seen.
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:15
1 hour ago
The teams are in the tunnel...
Just a few moments until we get underway at Anfield - and here come the teams!
Will Castle3 December 2025 20:11
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