Liverpool offered fans hope that they may have turned a corner with a win at West Ham. Now they must prove it by following up against Sunderland.
Liverpool vs. Sunderland
Premier League (14) | Anfield
December 3, 2025 | 8.15pm (GMT)
Liverpool return to Anfield to play Sunderland for the first time in nine years, with the Black Cats enjoying a renaissance under coach Regis Le Bris.
While the Reds have by far the superior team on paper, it is the visitors who arrive with the form. As ever in the Premier League, this will be no walkover.
1. Liverpool team news
While Liverpool won’t have any players back for the game against Sunderland, Slot did have positive updates on Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong to share.
“Conor got into a team training session yesterday (Monday) for the first time,” he said on Tuesday.
“Not [involved in] everything 100 percent yet, we have to manage that a little bit. “So, don’t get your hopes up too soon, but the good thing is that he has done certain parts with the group already.
“I hope he will be available for Leeds (on Saturday).”
The coach added that he expects Frimpong back in training some time “next week.”
2. Liverpool predicted XI vs. Sunderland
While Slot did say the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak would struggle to play three sets of 90 minutes in a week, he didn’t rule them out of another start on Wednesday.
Alisson will begin in goal behind a back four that could include Andy Robertson, who hasn’t started since returning from the international break.
Ryan Gravenberch and three from Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones should start, while further forward, Wirtz and Isak could drop out as Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike come back into the team.
Predicted XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
3. Sunderland are Premier League’s surprise package
When there is a lot of change at a promoted club ahead of a season in the top flight, the turnover in players often does more harm than good.
However, manager Le Bris has managed to find a winning formula at Sunderland with captain Granit Xhaka at the centre of proceedings.
The Black Cats are actually above Liverpool in the table, sitting sixth with 22 points from their opening 13 games.
They come to Anfield with a spring in their step, also, after coming from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at home on Saturday.
4. sunderland team news
There are no new injury problems for Sunderland, so defender Aji Alese and young Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra are the only players absent.
It means they will likely line up with ever-present Robin Roefs in goal behind a defence which could feature Slot’s former Feyenoord captain, Lutsharel Geertruida.
Enzo Le Fee, Bertrand Traore and ex-Ajax striker Brian Brobbey are likely to start in attack for the visitors.
Predicted XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fee; Traore, Brobbey
5. Arne Slot’s praise for the visitors
Slot has never faced Sunderland before but he has been doing his research.
“A big compliment for their manager because they brought in a lot of new players and they started off so well,” the Liverpool coach said.
“You can look at the league table by looking at how good they have done until now but after that game, knowing that Sunderland is a team that beat Chelsea and had a draw against Arsenal tells you how strong they must be…
“They’ve shown great mentality, but not only great mentality, the style they play, the risk they take when they don’t have the ball, playing a high-paced game and players are working so, so hard all 11 of them to get a result.”
6. Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. Sunderland?
Stuart Attwell takes charge at Anfield again after recently refereeing Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa. He has actually refereed this fixture against Sunderland, all the way back in 2010 – a 2-2 draw.
This time, he is assisted by Adrian Holmes and the linesman who elbowed Andy Robertson, Constantine Hatzidakis.
The fourth official is Dean Whitestone, while Tim Wood is the VAR with assistance from Matt Donohue.
7. A look at the numbers
• Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in their last 15 games at Anfield in all competitions
• Not since March 2021 have Liverpool failed to score in successive home league games. With fans inside the ground the last time it occurred was May 2012
• Liverpool have won 26 of their last 28 league games at Anfield against newly promoted teams, including the last 12 in a row. The last promoted team to beat them on Merseyside was Fulham in March 2021
8. Nine years since playing Sunderland
Due to Sunderland‘s relegation, it has been nine years since these two historic clubs last met.
The Reds’ most recent with the Black Cats was in the 2016-17 season, when Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield in November before drawing 2-2 on Wearside in early January.
At Anfield, late goals from Divock Origi and James Milner earned the Reds the points before, 37 days later, Jermain Defoe penalties twice cancelled out Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane‘s goals.
The last time Sunderland played Liverpool, David Moyes was in charge, while they last faced the Reds at Anfield with Jordan Pickford between the sticks.
9. Dominik Szoboszlai could get suspended
Having picked up four yellow cards in the league this season, Szoboszlai only needs to pick up one more booking for him to serve a one-match suspension.
With another six games to go before the cards reset, it feels fairly inevitable he will miss a match; it is just a case of which one.
Conor Bradley is in the same boat, but he won’t feature against Sunderland anyway.
10. Follow the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Sunderland is live on Sky Sports Football with kickoff at 8.15pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 7.30pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with keeping you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
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