Strongest Liverpool lineup To Face Sunderland – Sakho In Agger Out

After a convincing comeback win against Cardiff City in the weekend, Liverpool now host relegation threatened Sunderland in midweek at Anfield which should more or less be a formality. The Black Cats lost to Norwich as the pressure mounts on manager Gus Poyet to ring about the changes and drive his team clear to safety. Brendan Rodgers meanwhile downplayed Liverpool’s title saying he would take only one game at a time. As Sunderland look highly unlikely to get anything from Anfield, here is Liverpool’s strongest lineup.

Goalkeeping and Defense:

Simon Mingolet conceded three goals away to the Welsh side on Saturday but could hardly have been blamed for not keeping a clean sheet as his defense let him down. The Belgian though looked quite tentative coming out of his lines and grabbing crosses from the flanks. Mingolet’s distribution has improved in the last few weeks as Rodgers has spoken of the importance of a sweeper keeper aiding to his team’s build up play. Sunderland won’t trouble the home side much but it remains to be seen if Liverpool can keep a clean sheet.

While John Flanagan will start on the left right wing back slot, Glen Johnson had a great game offensively against Cardiff and should start on the right for the Reds. Both the wingbacks were in would try to go forward, join in attacks and try to barge forward at every possibility to keep the Sunderland wingers under on their toes. As Mamadou Sakho is back to full fitness, Brendan Rodgers might replace Daniel Agger, who had a horror show in Wales with the Frenchman pairing him up Martin Skrtel who grabbed a brace with his striker like instincts against Cardiff.

Midfield:

Gerrard

Steven Gerrard looks to be adjusting very well to his quarter back role for the Reds while Jordan Henderson is improving by leaps and bounds. Joe Allen however had a forgettable game against Cardiff and can be dropped in favour of Phillipe Coutinho, who should start after his spirited display in the weekend providing two assists. The ever energetic Raheem Sterling will start too as he looks to burn defenders away with his sheer ability and raw pace.

Strikeforce:

There is no doubt that the SAS partnership is tearing away defenses in the Premier League and Sunderland have too herculean a task on hand at Anfield. While Suarez grabbed a hattrick against Cardiff, Sturridge’s out of the world back flick for the Uruguayan shows every bit of the lethal partnership. The Englishman grabbed a goal of his own too and will look to add to his tally in midweek in front of the vociferous Anfield faithful.