Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at St Mary’s this weekend and it’s a result the Reds fans in the pub think should have been converted into a win, such was the nature of their dominance on the south coast.
Whilst the plucky Saints did well to hang on for a draw, it was tough on a Reds side who controlled the game in large spells to see the match eventually finish goalless.
Despite all their glorious attacking enterprise of late, the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane struggled to break behind enemy lines.
But despite the lack of three points, it’s still another game unbeaten for Jurgen Klopp’s team and next up is a fixture they should very much be picking three points up from.
It’s Sunderland up next and despite the Black Cats picking up a win this weekend, Liverpool will be rightly overwhelming favourites for this one.
But with a couple of injury concerns and a slight lack of finishing ability blighting the Reds last time out, how should Klopp lineup?
With that in mind, here’s our Liverpool XI we think will demolish Sunderland on Saturday…
Loris Karius
Jurgen Klopp has made it extremely clear that Loris Karius will be his long-term number one and we’re expecting him to start in goal for the Reds this weekend.
Nathaniel Clyne
Nathaniel Clyne has been arguably the best right-back in the whole division this season and he’s going to be a big part of any Liverpool success this season.
His blistering pace combined with his solid defensive game makes him a real pain for attackers and Sunderland might struggle to get past him.
Joel Matip
Former Bundesliga man Joel Matip has been extremely solid for the Reds since moving to the Premier League this summer and if anything, he’s defied expectations.
He’s quick for a centre-half and reads the game very well indeed. A misfiring Sunderland might struggle to break down a defence with him at the heart of it.
Dejan Lovren
A fairly standard choice, Dejan Lovren has been commandeering the backline alongside Matip all season and has done reasonably well.
Sitting top of the Premier League doesn’t happen by accident and the Croatian international will hope the early form isn’t in vain come the end of the season.
James Milner
It’s a new role for James Milner this season, filling in at left-back, but it’s a job he’s taken to like a duck to water.
The Englishman will have struggled to get into this current Reds midfield so switching to full-back has been good for his play time and the needs of the club too.
A great decision by Jurgen Klopp.
Jordan Henderson
One of the easiest picks in this squad, captain Jordan Henderson is the man that pulls the strings and gets this team ticking.
He seems to be getting better and better and whoever plays alongside him appears to be comfortable. His continued development is coming at just the right time for Liverpool.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum is back from injury and back in the Liverpool first-team, and Reds fans will be hoping to see the best from him over the coming months.
Until his brief spell on the sidelines, he’d done well down at Anfield but had been slightly underwhelming. A few good performances will soon see him popular amongst the home support though.
Emre Can
With Adam Lallana thought to be facing a longer-than-expected spell on the sidelines, it will be up to Emre Can to make up this three-man midfield.
The German international is a solid player to have in the middle-of-the-park and he’ll be looking to cut out any threat that Sunderland do provide going forward.
Phillipe Coutinho
Brazilian forward Phillipe Coutinho missed a couple of good chances against the Saints but after the start he’s had, we’re letting him off.
He’s been absolutely superb from the start of the season to now and a touch of misfiring is always going to creep into your game at one point or another.
We’re tipping him to pick himself up against Sunderland and help fire his side to victory.
Roberto Firmino
Like Coutinho, Roberto Firmino has been a real presence in the forward line for Liverpool this season.
He’s not your typical out-and-out striker but with the pace and skill the Reds do have going forward, his skill only serves to make things even harder for opposition defenders.
Sunderland will have a long afternoon ahead of them if Firmino really gets going.
Sadio Mane
Former Southampton man Sadio Mane couldn’t quite do the damage against his former employers but he’s another man that deserves very little criticism after his fine start to the campaign.
His blistering pace and ability to run at defenders has wreaked havoc at times and like his striking companions, if all three have good games against the Black Cats, they might just lose one of their lives along the way.
