In the likely event that Byron is still off his face somewhere in whitby, thought i'd better get this done before heading to the clerb! please log in to view this image 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. MATCH PREVIEW There's certainly no shortage of anticipation ahead of this clash and there are many questions to be answered too. How will managerless Sunderland react after the week's events? Will there be a new man watching from the stands or from afar? And will a certain Uruguayan be back in the headlines? They are just a few that spring to mind. Luis Suarez will return to the Premier League for the first time in 162 days, a spell only 13 days short of Paulo Di Canio's tenure as Sunderland head coach. The midweek Capital One Cup win was a welcome relief on Wearside, but interim coach Kevin Ball knows Liverpool will provide a far stiffer test than Peterborough did. LAWRO'S PREDICTION Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst "This is not a good time to play Sunderland. Their players are under a bit of pressure because everybody knows that they have complained about Paolo Di Canio before he got sacked last Sunday. So now it is a case of 'you got what you wanted - now give us a performance'." Read Lawro's full prediction and score His players did look as though, straight away, they were playing with more freedom - which can only auger well and isn't hugely surprising. The former club captain's style will be totally different to Di Canio's and his instant recall - and the subsequent performance - of Lee Cattermole was a much-needed one after their worst start to a season for seven years. It will be a different mentality to the one seen under the Italian. They'll need it too, as their next three home games see them face Manchester United, Newcastle and Manchester City. Liverpool have taken 20 points from 27 in Suarez's absence, but his return will only be a positive in the long run. In the short term, the early-season optimism has been dampened slightly with the home reverse to Southampton and the League Cup exit at Manchester United. Still, the Reds have only been beaten twice in the last 17 league matches. They already have eight more points than they did at this stage last season, and have a world-class talent to welcome back. Suarez has never been too far from the limelight since he arrived in England, and his manager says it's now 'payback time'. You certainly wouldn't bet against it beginning at the Stadium of Light. 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. Choice of links here : http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=216501&part=sports I tend to find the flash ones work the best. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
I have feeling this could be a high scoring game that could either way maybe an idea to have the beachball sub on after 60 minutes too
Haven't got a clue with this one lads but, should be interesting especially with an extra hours drinking time under the belt. Ask me again about 15:30 and no doubt it'll be a victory for the lads by a good 3 -0
Exploit Wisdom at right back and get plenty of Balls into the box for Jozy. Mignolet might have flashbacks of Heskey coming at him and flap at a few.
The players have all the pressure on them now, no PDC to blame for playing ****e as they did at West Brom. As always I'll predict a home win and off the bottom of the table. Haway Lads!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, I hate these childish 'Bindipper' 'Arse' 'Man Ure' 'Chelski' things .......... even clubs we dislike should be afforded a bit of respect in match threads. Just saying like ..............
`Simon Mignolet has been the busiest Premier League goalkeeper so far this season` Obviously their defence is crap. Gerrin among `em!
That Larsson goal a few years back was brilliant . Some good matches recently, hope this isn't one of them!
BTW, I hate these childish 'Bindipper' 'Arse' 'Man Ure' 'Chelski' things .......... even clubs we dislike should be afforded a bit of respect in match threads. Just saying like ..............[/QUOTE] Each to his own, I think most fans have derogatory nicknames for other teams, but not for me.
I know it's just banter but I have to agree with this to a certain extent. Apart from the Mags of course
Each to his own, I think most fans have derogatory nicknames for other teams, but not for me. [/QUOTE] Totally agree mate, if people like it then fair enough ........... I just think they're out of place on an 'official' match thread tbh. Besides, they stopped being funny almost immediately.
Each to his own, I think most fans have derogatory nicknames for other teams, but not for me. [/QUOTE] Totally agree mate, if people like it then fair enough ........... I just think they're out of place on an 'official' match thread tbh. Besides, they stopped being funny almost immediately.[/QUOTE] Reet o, changed it
****, I feel embarrassed now .......... I actually think they're really funny and was only being ironic. I wish I'd said nowt now
Unfortunate that Suarez is back today as I would have went for the win but he will either score or get someone sent off. Going for a score draw.
Liverpool will be arriving today expecting a walkover ....... we need to remind them, in the first few minutes, that we're Sunderland and get into them. If the crowd takes on a 'Bally' persona we'll terrify them. Haway Lads, let's shock these arrogant tossers .....
If you want to take a blanket to cover your knees then don't let Liverpool stop you, you're not as young as you used to be mate.
