Liverpool have a job on their hands to hand Sunderland their first home loss of the season, and Regis Le Bris is particularly worried about one in-form Red.
The Premier League table is starting to take shape, and Liverpool are not where they want to be.
With 13 games to play, Arne Slot has work to do to get back in the picture for Champions League qualification.
The next step on that journey is a midweek visit to the Stadium of Light.
Do we all agree it’s time for Arne Slot to drop Cody Gakpo vs Sunderland? 🔄
What would your starting line-up be for the game? đź”®
Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Liverpool’s league form has been embarrassing for most of the season, but there have been some standout performers — one of whom Le Bris is planning for.
Regis Le Bris warns his players about Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike
Has there been a better signing in the Premier League this season than Hugo Ekitike?
It’s a toss-up between him and Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka for most people.
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Ekitike is showing elite potential at Liverpool, already in double figures for goals and causing defences headaches with his speed, power and finesse.
Le Bris has taken notice, and singled out the Frenchman ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
In his pre-match press conference, he remarked: “They have quality players throughout the squad. We must defend and attack together.
Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool in Champions League
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
“We know they have an attacking threat in (Hugo) Ekitike, but with belief, we can be confident.”
Le Bris was full of praise for Ekitike, commending him on his hunger and how he has settled into the Premier League.
He continued: “He’s doing well. Really well. Because he’s a good player, really good player in France. It was really impressive that he struggled a bit through his journey and then found the good environment and the good level of experience now to to to be efficient in the Premier League.”
From what he’s saying, a large aspect of Sunderland’s work off the ball will be to limit the impact Liverpool’s in-form striker can have on the game.
Sunderland’s staggering defensive record at home
For Liverpool to break the 12-game unbeaten home run that has brought the newly promoted side into European contention, it will require everyone in the front line to be switched on, ready to pounce on the rare openings they find.
Sunderland have conceded just nine goals on their home turf this season.
Liverpool have to prevent Sunderland from taking a lead early, or they will find the already-daunting task of breaking them down even more impossible.
How many goals will Hugo Ekitike end up with this season?
He's surely heading past 20
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
It’s important that Liverpool follow up a disappointing result at Anfield with a strong performance on the road.
Starting to win consistently is the only way they will catch back up to Chelsea and Man United in the Champions League places.
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