Sunderland host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both predicted that Sunderland will hold Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening.
The Black Cats are the only Premier League side yet to lose a game on home soil this season, and were good value for a sharing of the spoils when the two clubs met at Anfield back in December.
For their part, the defending champions are currently sixth in the table, just three points ahead of Regis Le Bris’ men heading into their midweek trip to Wearside, having lost 2-1 to Manchester City in dramatic circumstances on Sunday.
Already facing a dearth of viable options at right-back, Reds boss Arne Slot suffered a further blow in the final moments of that contest when Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a red card, adding his name to a list of defensive absentees that includes the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez.
And through a combination of their personnel issues and the Black Cats’ stellar record on their own patch, both Merson and Sutton have tipped Liverpool to drop points in the North East.
What has Paul Merson said about Sunderland vs Liverpool?
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson said: “This is a difficult game for Liverpool. Sunderland are the only team who haven't lost at home this season. I expect Chelsea to win and if Manchester United also get three points, this becomes a must-win game for Liverpool.
“Liverpool can't afford to drop points when Chelsea and United win, it's as simple as that now. I saw Sunderland play against Arsenal and even though they lost, I thought they did well. They have what it takes to make Liverpool sweat.
“Szoboszlai will be a huge miss for Liverpool due to his suspension. Arne Slot has no right-back now and will probably use Curtis Jones there. Going away to Sunderland without someone like Szoboszlai, who has done so well this season, can have an impact on Liverpool. I expect Slot to go with the same team apart from the forced change at right-back. But I don't see Liverpool winning this game.” Merson has opted for a 1-1 draw.
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What has Chris Sutton said about Sunderland vs Liverpool?
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton also forecast a 1-1 draw, explaining: “The Liverpool fans seem to have had enough of Arne Slot, which again makes no sense to me. Just because they aren't going to win the title again doesn't mean they aren't building anything.
“It seems that making the Champions League places is like the title used to be now - as in, if you don't make the Champions League then the manager has got to go. It drives me potty.
“I know Sunderland lost at Arsenal on Saturday but I still enjoyed their performance. That might sound odd because they were beaten 3-0 but I still thought the Black Cats were competitive, and they were really physical too. They matched Arsenal for long spells of the game.
“So, Liverpool will know what to expect when they try to become the first team to win at Stadium of Light this season, and this is going to be a very difficult game for them. Slot needs a positive result here, for Liverpool to keep in touch with the teams above them in the race for the top four. My only concern about Sunderland is whether they can bring that same physicality again, but I still don't think Liverpool will win.”
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