Liverpool vs Sunderland preview: Reds hoping to return to form against Black Cats

It’s a big game for…

Jan Kirchoff: The former Bayern Munich centre-back had a howler on debut against Spurs at White Hart Lane as the Black Cats went down 4-1. He bounced back however, and after being moved to a holding midfield role against Manchester City in mid-week, Sam Allardyce was full of praise for the German. If Sunderland are to emerge with a result on Saturday, he will need to perform to a similar level.

Weird stat…

2: The last three fixtures between these two sides have only produced two goals. Christian Benteke and Lazar Markovic both scored in two 1-0 wins for Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.

Remember when…

Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard steamrolled Sunderland? The trio were fundamental in Liverpool’s 2012-13 title challenge, which ultimately failed. A double from Suarez, and a lovely chip from Sterling, however, saw the Reds build up momentum in a 3-0 win at Anfield.

Player to watch…

Patrick Van Aanholt: The Chelsea academy product has been a positive in another season of doom and gloom at the Stadium of Light. Van Aanholt scored two in the last three Black Cats matches – against Spurs and Bournemouth. They will be hoping he can cause Jurgen Klopp problems at Anfield.

Past three meetings…

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Benteke), Premier League, December 2015

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Markovic), Premier League, January 2015

Liverpool 0 Sunderland 0, Premier League, December 2014

Form guide…

Liverpool: LWWLDL

Sunderland: WLWLDL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 3pm Saturday

TV: Highlights on BBC1