Liverpool travel to play Sunderland for the first time in nine years, with a win essential for Arne Slot‘s side to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Premier League (26) | Stadium of Light
February 11, 2026 | 8.15pm (GMT)
Ordinarily, you would expect Liverpool to go to a newly-promoted team and win. That is not the case on this occasion, however.
Of their five matches this campaign against newly-promoted sides, Liverpool have won just one – 1-0 at Burnley in September – and drawn the other four. On paper, this game is the most difficult of the lot.
Dominik Szobsozlai is suspended
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (R) reacts to a foul whilst Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly celebrates his side's third goal that was later disallowed for an indirect free kick during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended for this one after being sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity to Erling Haaland – yes, even though the ball went in the goal – at the end of Liverpool’s loss against Man City.
Thankfully, he is only missing for one game, though, and will return for Saturday night’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Brighton at Anfield.
In Szoboszlai’s absence, Liverpool will have to find another right-back, with the most likely candidates being Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo.
Liverpool injury updates
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) and captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Like Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is still not involved at right-back, but there is a small chance Joe Gomez could feature against Sunderland.
Slot said he was “expecting him to train” for the first time the day before the match, following a hip injury, meaning a place on the bench is more likely than a start.
Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are absent with long-term problems, while Jayden Danns is also still not yet back in full training.
Calvin Ramsay won’t be starting at right-back
Asked if he could understand the calls to play young Calvin Ramsay at right-back, due to the absence of those who usually play there, Slot gave a blunt response.
“I think in general if you don’t win a game, the players who are not playing become the best players in the squad,” the head coach said.
“That is the same I think everywhere in the world. So if the players who are starting are not winning, then the manager could have always better chosen another one.
“I think this is an example of this as well. I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Sunderland
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones reacts as his shot went wide during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot has very few options with which to play as a result of Liverpool missing so many players. The main quandary comes at right-back.
The two most probable options to start there are Jones and Endo. If the latter starts at full-back, then the rest of the team could remain unchanged.
Should Endo play at right-back, we could see Jones come into the midfield in place of Florian Wirtz or Alexis Mac Allister.
Predicted LFC XI: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
Sunderland are unbeaten at home in the Premier League
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris after the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Saturday November 29, 2025.
Given that the last six teams to be promoted were then promptly relegated, this has been a brilliant season for Sunderland.
They are the last remaining team unbeaten at home in the Premier League and have failed to score only once in the league at home this season – their goalless draw with Man City last month.
Last Saturday, however, they suffered their joint-heaviest league defeat this season, losing 3-0 at Arsenal as they did at Man City and Brentford.
Granit Xhaka is still out for Sunderland
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 10, 2026: Sunderland's captain Granit Xhaka and team-mates stand together during the penalty shoot-out during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Everton FC and Sunderland AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Captain and talisman Granit Xhaka is still out with an ankle injury that has caused him to miss their last three matches.
Bertrand Traore also remains sidelined for “a few more weeks,” said manager Regis Le Bris, following a knee injury the winger picked up at AFCON with Burkina Faso.
January signing Jocelin Ta Bi, who joined from Maccabi Netanya for £3.5 million, won’t be involved as he builds his fitness after an ankle issue.
Did you know?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts to losing to Manchester City, the first league double since 1939, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Only once in the last 13 seasons have Liverpool lost more on the road in a whole league campaign than they did at Anfield. That was in 2022/23 when they won six and lost eight, finishing fifth .
The last Sunderland manager to oversee a victory against the current title holders was Martin O’Neill in 2012 – and Simon Mignolet was in goal!
In the last 66 league meetings home and away against Sunderland, Liverpool have lost only five times.
Nine years since Liverpool’s last trip to Sunderland
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Monday, January 2, 2017: Liverpool's Sadio Mane in action against Sunderland's Jack Rodwell during the FA Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Due to Sunderland‘s exile from the top flight, during which they spent four years in the third tier, it has been just over nine years since Liverpool last played at the Stadium of Light.
The Reds’ last trip to Wearside came in January 2017, when they drew 2-2 after twice being pegged back by Jermain Defoe from the penalty spot.
Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane were Liverpool’s scorers that night, the game kicking off less than 44 hours after the Reds’ previous game, a 1-0 win over Man City, had concluded.
Who is the referee for Sunderland vs. Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 25, 2018: Referee Chris Kavanagh during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Chris Kavanagh is the referee for Sunderland vs. Liverpool. He will be assisted by Dan Cook and Marc Perry, with Thomas Brammall on fourth official duties.
Meanwhile, Darren England has been appointed video assistant referee and Craig Taylor will be his assistant.
Kavanagh has taken charge of Liverpool on five occasions already this season, with the Reds winning just once.
Follow the match with TIA
Sunderland vs. Liverpool is live on TNT Sports 1 with kickoff at 8.15pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 7.30pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with keeping you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!