Match Preview – Sunderland (h)

FA Premiership
Tue 3rd March 2009 @ 8pm, Anfield

If the title was thrown away at all this season, then it wasn’t at Middlesbrough but at Anfield as the reds deal with a dismal home record.  Sunderland are the visitors as the reds aim to restore some pride after only the second Premiership defeat of the season away at The Riverside.  The reds have been guilty of wasting chances in matches recently and have developed a worrying habit of giving away the first goal.

With Torres out, Arbeloa and Agger also out injured then some of the other reds must start chipping in with the goals and Liverpool supporters will be looking for a vastly improved performance from the players after Saturday’s feeble attempts which were a disgrace to thousands of travelling Liverpool supporters.

Rafa Benitez is hopeful that Steven Gerrard will have recovered sufficiently to start against Sunderland.

Both Sunderland’s strikers Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse are hoping to return to first team action. They have 18 league goals between them.

Benitez Pre-match Conference

“We just have to keep doing our job. We just have to keep trying to improve.

“Finishing second would still be an achievement, but we have to think about getting three points against Sunderland and then our position because where we will finish will depend on Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Villa.

“We can talk about positions, but at the end of the day we just have to win the next game.”

History

Just like Boro, Sunderland will feel they have a point to prove after our last league game which was the season opener up at the Stadium of Light.  Sunderland played well but the reds snatched the victory with a late Torres goal.

Sunderland’s last victory at Anfield was back in the reds 1983/84 title winning season when they left Anfield with a 1-0 win. Liverpool won 3-0 last season at Anfield.

Betting

Liverpool, again, are the bookies favourites.

Liverpool 4/9
Draw 3/1
Sunderland 9/1

A repeat of the reds 3-0 win from last season is 9/1. If you think the reds are going down 2-0 (shame on you) you can get 60/1.  A 1-0 reds win is about 6/1.

You can get 25/1 for Sunderland to be leading at half time and the reds to run out winners.

Get a Free £20 bet with Paddy Power when you place a £10 bet.

TV

The match is on live on Sky Sports 2 in the UK. Streams and TV Links can be found in the forum.

Opposition Links

SAFC World – Sunderland Forum
Sunderland Football Shirts

Pre Match Discussions

http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=14415.0

Discuss with Liverpool fans on the LFC Reds Forum