please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Sunderland v Liverpool 29 Sep 2013, KO: 16:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool return to Barclays Premier League action with a trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers' team are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats by Southampton and Manchester United in the Premier League and Capital One Cup respectively. The corresponding fixture in 2012-13 was a 1-1 draw, with Luis Suarez grabbing an equaliser after Steven Fletcher had handed the Black Cats an advantage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team news: Sunderland are without striker Steven Fletcher, who suffered a shoulder injury in the defeat at West Brom. Otherwise, interim head coach Kevin Ball has a full squad at his disposal. Liverpool forward Luis Suarez is available to play in his first Premier League game of the season after serving a 10-match ban, and manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to start him. But Rodgers will be without Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho because of injury. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ please log in to view this image The boys are back in town! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MATCH FACTS Head-to-head -Liverpool have lost just three times in 12 Premier League visits to Sunderland, winning seven of these matches. -Those three defeats are the only victories Sunderland have achieved over Liverpool in 24 Premier League meetings. -The highest-scoring match between the two clubs was a 6-5 top-flight Sunderland win at Roker Park in December 1930. Sunderland -The Black Cats are the only top-flight club this season without a Premier League win. -This is their worst start to a Premier League season since 2005-06. They were relegated that season, gaining just 15 points. -Sunderland have won only three of their last 21 games (D6, L12). -They did not manage a shot on target in the Premier League defeat to West Brom last weekend, Paolo Di Canio's last match before being sacked. Liverpool -Liverpool suffered their first Premier League defeat in 13 matches against Southampton last weekend. -They have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League matches (W10, D5) - both against Southampton. -The Reds are the only Premier League side yet to score a second-half goal. -Simon Mignolet has been the busiest Premier League goalkeeper so far this season - making 25 saves. He joined Liverpool for £9m in the summer after being voted Sunderland's Player of the Year. please log in to view this image
I think this deserves a caption contest: please log in to view this image 'I'm the hard man around here now Louise'. 'Ok Daniel'