15 Sunderland have had two-thirds of the possession in the opening 15 minutes to highlight how good they’ve been on the ball. The visitors have had the clearer sights of goal, though.
14 The free-kick comes to nothing, but a warning for Sunderland there about Suarez’s threat.
13 Clever, quick footwork from Suarez draws a clumsy foul from Sulley Muntari in a dangerous position on the right-hand side. Played for and got by Suarez – knew exactly what he was doing there and Muntari fell for it.
12 Spearing curls in a cross from the right, and John Mensah slices his clearance out of play for a Liverpool throw.
11 Good spell for Sunderland ends disappointingly with Ferdinand overhitting a cross straight into the arms of Pepe Reina.
10 Lively start from Sunderland, knocking the ball about nicely in midfield.
8 Anton Ferdinand looks to play a one-two with Stephane Sessegnon, but Glen Johnson shepherds the ball behind for a goal-kick.
7 Meireless looks for Carroll with a deep cross from the left, but TItus Bramble heads clear.
6 Another good corner, but Kuyt heads over from close-range.
5 Chance! Raul Meireles’ delivery to the back post is headed back across goal by Carroll to find Dirk Kuyt, whose first-time shot is smartly blocked by Simon Mignolet.
4 First link-up of the day between Carroll and Suarez as the former’s flick on finds the latter in space on the left to win a corner.
3 Free-kick to Sunderland just inside the Liverpool half, but it’s weakly aimed towards the penalty box and easily headed clear by Jay Spearing.
2 Welbeck looks to pick a path through the Liverpool defence but is tackled by Jamie Carragher.
1 Sunderland launch the first attack of the game, Danny Welbeck winning a throw on the left.
1 Sunderland get us under way at the Stadium of Light.
“I hope Liverpool win convincingly today,” writes Marcel. “I think whoever scores the first goal will win today’s game so I hope Liverpool score first. I think with Carroll in the team a formation of 4-3-3 would suit us going forward because Suarez and Kuyt would deliver crosses to carroll in the wing positions. I think this game is too close to predict but if Liverpool are to get fifth spot they need to win this game and go on a run of positive results till the end of the season. It will finish 2-1 but I dont know who to; depends what type of liverpool team come out.”
Chris Hull: “Can’t say I could get any more excited at the prospect of Carroll and Suarez playing together for the first time. The squad really have something to prove after getting knocked out of the Europa League by Braga. One thing that seemed to be missing from both legs was creativity in the final third, but with Suarez, I don’t think we’ll need to worry. Good to see Spearing in the squad, I think he’ll have a decent game. Should be three points for us, unless one of our fans throws a beach ball onto the pitch of course.”
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce makes just one change to the side which drew 0-0 at Arsenal last time out as Danny Welbeck gets a first start since January 5 following his knee injury, with Steed Malbranque dropping to the bench. Sunderland’s star player from this fixture last season, B. Ball, doesn’t make the squad.
Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll start a game together for the first time as Liverpool look to put the pressure on fifth-placed Spurs after they were held to a goalless draw by struggling West Ham yesterday.
Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Bramble, Mensah, Henderson, Muntari, Richardson, Sessegnon, Welbeck, Gyan.
Subs: Gordon, Zenden, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Onuoha
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Spearing, Lucas, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez, Carroll.
Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Poulsen, Wilson
Welcome to our live coverage of this Premier League clash between Sunderland and Liverpool. Team news to follow shortly, send your predictions, thoughts and rants to Dave.Tickner@bskyb.com
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