Prediction: Liverpool vs Sunderland

Verdict: Home win to nil

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Liverpool’s midweek Premier League showdown with high-flying Sunderland at Anfield will reveal whether their weekend triumph over West Ham United was a turning point or merely a fleeting respite.

The Reds eased to a 2-0 win at the London Stadium, while Sunderland staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to defeat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool

Helped by Lucas Paqueta’s baffling dismissal, Liverpool snapped a three-game losing streak in the capital, overcoming an in-form West Ham side. Alexander Isak ended his seven-match Premier League goal drought with his first strike for the club, before Cody Gakpo sealed the victory late on—rewarding Arne Slot for a bold selection call.

Mohamed Salah remained on the bench throughout, sparking speculation about his future, though Slot insists the Egyptian still has a role to play. Regardless of Salah’s involvement, Liverpool aim to break into the European spots this week; their eighth-place tally of 21 points leaves them just three behind Chelsea in third and four adrift of Manchester City in second.

At Anfield, the Reds boast a flawless recent record against newly-promoted sides, winning 12 consecutive top-flight matches, though Sunderland have proven far from ordinary this season.

Team News

All eyes will be on Salah’s potential return, but unless Dominik Szoboszlai shows fatigue, Slot is unlikely to disrupt the attacking trio of Gakpo, Isak, and Florian Wirtz—whose vibrant display against West Ham drew praise. Andy Robertson may replace Kerkez at left-back, and will be interesting to see if Gomez, whose contribution at the London Stadium was notable, is ready to start twice in the same week.

Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley (unspecified), and Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) remain sidelined. Slot, mindful of Gomez’s workload, could deploy Curtis Jones at right-back.

Sunderland

Regis Le Bris’s men made history last weekend, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win a Premier League match for the first time in 188 attempts. Amine Adli and Tyler Adams put Bournemouth ahead, but Enzo Le Fee, Bertrand Traore, and substitute Brian Brobbey completed a stunning turnaround.

That victory ended a three-game winless run and kept Sunderland in sixth place, ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle, trailing only Brighton on goal difference. However, their away attacking record is poor—just three goals scored on the road—though defensively they have conceded only six, bettered by just three teams.

Sunderland have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League, last winning there in 1983. Their most recent meeting was a 2-2 draw in January 2017.

Team News

Aji Alese (shoulder) and Habib Diarra (groin) are unavailable, but Le Bris otherwise has a strong squad. Brobbey’s impact off the bench—three goal contributions in his last five league games—could earn him a first start of the season.

Lutsharel Geertruida may replace Chemsdine Talbi if Le Bris opts for added defensive solidity.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid were followed by a dire three-match slump, so their West Ham success may not guarantee a resurgence—especially against a buoyant Sunderland side.

Yet the visitors’ lack of attacking punch away from home and Anfield’s influence should tilt the balance toward a second straight league victory for the champions.

Furthermore, the ability to control the game shown against West Ham should help the hosts keep another clean sheet.

Verdict: Home win to nil

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet