PREM: Liverpool v Sunderland preview

Liverpool v Sunderland preview

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana remains a doubt for the visit of Sunderland.

The England star injured a groin on international duty on November 15 and missed last week's goalless draw at former club Southampton.

Defender Joe Gomez made his return to competitive action for the Under-23s in midweek after 13 months out with a knee injury but it is too early for him to be considered for first-team selection.

Sunderland boss David Moyes will be forced to make changes.

Paddy McNair has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate ligament in last week's win over Hull, while Papy Djilobodji is suspended after being sent off in the same game.

John O'Shea and Steven Pienaar are in line to return to the starting line-up but Lee Cattermole (hip), Fabio Borini (groin), Sebastian Larsson (knee) and Jan Kirchhoff and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) are still out.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says "The Southampton game was really important for us - the result was not too nice - but the games before looked a little bit like we were in the flow and it was easy.

"Then we had this day when we didn't score early - didn't score at all - but we stayed in the game and we are ready for the work we have to do. "Not at the 12th match day (can you) have expectations about the games because we are in a good position.

"If someone was disappointed after the game we were not first in the table any more it is really crazy. "If you want to keep this position or make it better you have to improve 100 per cent and there is a lot of space for us.

"If I had any doubt about the attitude of the players it (the Southampton result) would have helped because with 80 per cent concentration you get nowhere in the Premier League. "But it wasn't about attitude so I was really happy with the attitude and a lot of parts of the performance."

Sunderland boss David Moyes says "We've just got to be careful - we've won two games with Victor Anichebe coming into the team and we also played well at Southampton and should still be in the cup.

"But let's put it into context - he's not a £20million centre-forward. We've got a centre-forward who I believe in and I know what he is capable of but there will be games when he is on top form and games when he is not.

"We've been really pleased with him and Jermain Defoe - what Jermain has done whether it be this season or in seasons gone by speaks for itself with his goals.

Teams

Liverpool (from): Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho, Mignolet, Klavan, Perez, Grujic, Lucas, Stewart, Ejaria, Sturridge, Origi.

Sunderland (from): Pickford, Mannone, Jones, Manquillo, Van Aanholt, Denayer, Love, Kone, O'Shea, Ndong, Pienaar, Januzaj, Khazri, Watmore, Gooch, Defoe, Anichebe, Love.