A look ahead to Sunderland vs Liverpool

Matches after a two week international break are difficult to preview as we don’t usually know the exact situation at the respective clubs regarding players returning with major or minor injury worries, jet lag or mental fatigue after, possibly, 2 games in a week. Starting line ups are more than usually likely to be different from what we might expect. We do know that Kenwyne Jones has been firmly instructed to get the earliest possible flight back, presumably with a view to playing him up front with Bent from the kick off. Sunderland will possibly be less affected by the intermission and certainly Bent will be fresh and still eager to force his way into Capello’s squad.

The game at Man U has made a few people sit up and take notice that the Black Cats are a different proposition this season with the new signings bedding in well under Steve Bruce. This is doubly so due to the media coverage of Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments regarding the referee and subsequent apology. At home the players will want to build on that performance last time out against another “big four” side and the crowd will be savouring the possibility of a famous victory.

We’re likely to see Cana and Cattemole continue their promising midfield partnership with Reid on the left, another player fit and keen to push his way back into international recognition. Steve Bruce has a dilemma at left back with Richardson suspended and McCartney injured. We know that Da Silva can play anywhere along the back line so perhaps he’ll come in or Mensah if he’s able to play in that position. I have the thought that Bruce may want to start Jordan Henderson and could make positional changes to accommodate this though I think he’ll continue with Turner and Ferdinand in central defence.

I’d like to sound a note of caution regarding a possible home win. I see the team as very much a work in progress with players still adjusting to each others’ game (such as Turner and Ferdinand) and Bruce bringing in some of the new arrivals slowly as they adapt to football played English style. Liverpool do have players other than Gerrard and Torres who can hurt you with a moment of quality and we don’t as yet have a settled defence or real defensive solidity. What this Sunderland team does seem to have is the ability to score goals so while my heart says we’ll win by two goals to one, my head suggests that a 2-2 scoreline may be the final result.

By Howard Kirby

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