Liverpool v Sunderland: Premier League – live

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Sunderland have not so much defied expectations as torn them to shreds. You have to go back 20 years to find a promoted side that has picked up as many points after 13 games – Wigan Athletic in the 2005-06 season. Newly promoted sides simply do not start like this anymore.

In fact, the three promoted teams in each of the last two seasons have all ended up facing relegation, and playoff winners fare even worse: seven of the last 11 clubs to come up via the playoffs have gone straight back down. Promoted clubs are supposed to wobble, scrap, cling on; Sunderland have politely declined that script.

Arne Slot has admitted feeling unease at dropping Mohamed Salah after the striker’s eight phenomenal seasons at Liverpool, and said he wants him “doing something special” on the pitch rather than sitting misera­bly on the bench.

Omitting Salah was Slot’s big call at West Ham on Sunday when the ­Liverpool head coach found a ­solution to the Premier League champions’ dismal run of results. The Egypt international, who will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December, has struggled to hit his customary heights this season and is not guaranteed to return against Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday.

Team news

Mo Salah is again on the bench for Liverpool, who make one change to the side that won at West Ham: Andy Robertson is in for Milos Kerkez at left-back.

Sunderland switch to a back five, with two changes to the side that started against Bournemouth on Saturday. Trai Hume and Brian Brobbey come in for Bertrand Traore and Wilson Isidor.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Kerkez, Salah, Chiesa, Jones, Ekitike, Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Sunderland (5-2-2-1) Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinaldo; Xhaka Sadiki; Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, O’Nien, Geertruida, Neil, Mundle, Adingra, Traore, Mayenda, Isidor.

Referee Stuart Attwell.

There are five more Premier League games tonight, including the leaders Arsenal at home to Igor Thiago Team. You can follow those with Daniel Harris.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Liverpool v Sunderland at Anfield. Who’d have thought, when the fixture list was released in the summer, that Sunderland would be above Liverpool going into this game? An eejit, that’s who, or somebody who time travelled back from the future with a copy of the Utilita Fotball Yearbook 2026-27.

There are two sides to this unlikely story. Liverpool’s form collapsed after a perfect start to the season; Sunderland started brilliantly and have maintained that level. They’ve already had some famous results, including victory at Stamford Bridge, but a first win at Anfield since 1983 would top the lot.

Kick off 8.15pm.