If you’d have told a Scouser 18 months ago that his beloved side, under the tutelage of a Northern Irishman with no more than four years of managerial experience, were currently being talked of as true title contenders, he’d have slapped you in the face and ran off to tell all of his mates about the strange little man he’d just met.

And yet, when Gerrard et al take to the Anfield pitch today against beaten Capital One Cup finalists Sunderland, Anfield will be pulsating with the belief that this is might just finally be our year. Eight games remain, and The Reds are currently third, just four points behind league leaders Chelsea and one behind favourites Manchester City following their Old Trafford victory. Rodgers’ side is not expected to win the title, but the underdog status pinned on to them in recent weeks has eased the pressure on the shoulders of the players; it is not our title to lose, and that’s a good thing.

Liverpool can also be encouraged by the fact Sunderland have never won at Anfield in the Premier League era, while Gus Poyet’s side may still be in shock following a deflating 2-0 loss to relegation rivals Norwich; a defeat which saw them slump below the safety line. The Reds are also eyeing up a seventh consecutive victory after their attacking demolition of Cardiff, whereas Sunderland will be looking to end a four-game winless streak, and have managed just 11 points out of a possible 27 since the New Year rolled in.

Should Liverpool win today, those three points will see them leapfrog Manchester City and move within one point of Chelsea. However, if Sunderland can get revenge for a 3-1 defeat earlier in the season and take points away from Anfield, title talk may be swept under the rug for another year and focus shifted to instead ensuring that Arsenal are not given the chance to steal a third-placed finish.

Team News

Liverpool

There are no fresh injuries for Liverpool, but Jose Enrique’s season is likely to be over according to manager Brendan Rodgers when he spoke to the Liverpool Echo

Sunderland

Fabio Borini is ineligible to play against his parent club so Gus Poyet has recalled Connor Wickham from his loan spell at Leeds. Missing from the Sunderland side are Stephen Fletcher, who is still suffering from an ankle injury, and the suspended Marcos Alonso.

Liverpool vs Sunderland pre-match – Elliot Morrow





