Liverpool are seeking to back up their weekend victory over West Ham United when they welcome Sunderland to Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The Reds ended their three-game losing streak at the London Stadium courtesy of goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, offering Arne Slot some much-needed respite amid a gruelling period. But the pressure will re-emerge if Liverpool fail to conquer newly-promoted Sunderland on home soil.
The weekend win lifted Liverpool back into the top half of the table but they are still trailing their overperforming visitors in the standings. The Black Cats have managed a point more than the reigning champions following an astonishing start to the campaign, which has already seen them earn positive results against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Liverpool conceded seven across home humiliations at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, with another such emphatic defeat on Wednesday edging Slot towards the exit door. Sunderland know victory would see them already match the points total of last season’s best-performing relegated side Leicester City.
Here is guide to the crucial Anfield showdown.
