Liverpool Search for Consistency as Sunderland Arrive at Anfield | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Sunderland – Premier League Preview

Date: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025

Venue: Anfield

Kick-off: 20:15 BST

Liverpool returns to Anfield on Wednesday night with something they haven’t felt in months: a flicker of control and a win to fall back on. Sunday’s 2–0 win away at West Ham was, at the very least, a stabiliser—an overdue return to structure, effort, and unity after months of self-inflicted chaos. It wasn’t a renaissance, not yet, but it was a performance that finally aligned attitude with quality. I don’t know if it’s another false dawn, and it may be another week before we know whether this team is beyond its failures.

Sunderland arrive with nothing to lose and everything to fight for, while Liverpool—still scarred by the Nottingham Forest and PSV embarrassments—must prove the West Ham result wasn’t just a momentary pause in a downward spiral. Arne Slot knows that in a week where job security remains a daily conversation, he cannot afford another backward step.

Rotation is likely, it has to be after the physical output on Sunday, yet the manner of that win was so balanced and so overdue that Slot may be tempted to retain the core of the side. Mohamed Salah’s return is almost guaranteed, but the rhythm established at the London Stadium will be difficult to disrupt without consequence.

This is a night where winning isn’t optional. It is expected.

Sunderland: Brave, Structured, and Sharpening Their Edges

Sunderland arrive at Anfield in a position no one predicted two years ago: confident, organised, and quietly building a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most irritating opponents. Their progress has been driven by structure, energy, and relentless commitment—a combination that troubled several top sides already this season.

Expect a compact block, quick counters, and a focus on exploiting Liverpool’s long-standing issues with defensive transitions. Their wide players will test Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez, who will presumably hold their positions. Their midfield will look to disrupt Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones or Ryan Gravenberch. And they will lean heavily on set pieces, an area Liverpool have catastrophically regressed in since August.

Most importantly, Sunderland will not fear Liverpool’s badge or the Anfield lights. They will sense opportunity—and recent history tells them they are right to do so.

Liverpool: Searching for Rhythm, Structure, and Signs of a Run

The win at West Ham brought something simple yet priceless: clarity. Joe Gomez was magnificent at right-back, restoring defensive balance. Milos Kerkez finally looked like a Premier League full-back. Dominik Szoboszlai powered the midfield. Alexander Isak scored. Cody Gakpo created. Florian Wirtz orchestrated.

It was a performance built on logic rather than stubbornness. Now the question is whether Slot sticks with logic.

Some rotation is inevitable given the schedule, but tearing apart a winning side would be reckless. Salah returns, of course, but Liverpool must resist the temptation to overthink a game that demands continuity.

This is not about aesthetics or systems. It is about rebuilding confidence, reinforcing structure, and showing that Liverpool can put strong performances together—not once every four matches, but twice, then three times, and onward.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3):

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Joe Gomez

CB – Ibrahima Konaté

CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Milos Kerkez

CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

CM – Curtis Jones

RW – Mohamed Salah

CF – Alexander Isak

LW – Florian Wirtz

The Tactical Picture

Sunderland will be aggressive. Liverpool must be aggressive back and not allow their control and superior players to become too comfortable.

This game will be determined not by quality—Liverpool have more—but by attitude. By focus and desire. By the willingness to repeat the discipline shown in East London.

Anfield will demand more of the same, and if Liverpool wants to build a real run, this is where it starts. Not next weekend. Not after Christmas.

Now. Under the famous Anfield lights.

Player to Watch: Joe Gomez

His return to the starting XI changed everything from progressive play to assurance in retreat. On Wednesday, he may need to do it again.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 3 – 1 Sunderland