Sunderland host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening.
The Black Cats currently sit three points behind their visitors in the Premier League table, with both teams having lost their respective fixtures last time out. Regis Le Bris’ men put in a spirited display in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, while the defending champions came unstuck late on in a 2-1 loss against Manchester City the following day.
That result leaves Arne Slot’s side six points adrift of the top four with 13 matches left to play in their league campaign, and in a press conference on Tuesday morning, the Dutchman admitted that the Reds must be almost flawless if they are to secure a Champions League qualification spot.
He said: “[We must be] Close to perfection, because of the points we are behind. We also know that it's different when you are four points behind a team that's 18th or 19th in the league, because they usually don't pick up as many points as the number three, four, or five picks up. So, to close the gap of four or five points towards the number three, four, or five, that means you have to win a lot, and that's not what we've done this season a lot, so that's why that has to be better and we have to come close to perfection. And, yeah, margins are indeed very small.”
But with Liverpool in the midst of a sticky patch, McCoist has backed Sunderland to follow up an eye-catching 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season with a famous win on home soil in midweek.
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What has Ally McCoist said ahead of Sunderland clash vs Liverpool?
Speaking TNT Sports, the popular Scot said: "Sunderland’s home form has been incredible, and I think they played well at Arsenal despite losing that game. I think that Liverpool’s recent problems will continue at Sunderland." McCoist has opted for a 2-1 Black Cats victory.
Meanwhile, TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher has also back Le Bris’ men to pick up a positive result, but believes that the hosts will have to settle for a sharing of the spoils on Wearside.
He said: "I fear for Liverpool at the minute. They’re lacking confidence and will be without the suspended [Dominik] Szoboszlai for this game. They look vulnerable and they’re under big pressure. Sunderland are very difficult, especially when you consider they have remained unbeaten at home until this point in the league, and I don’t think Sunderland will lose." Fletcher has forecast a 1-1 draw.
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