Jurgen Klopp has made just one change to his Liverpool side for Monday’s clash with Sunderland, bringing in Daniel Sturridge.
Despite facing a busy fixture list over the turn of the year, Klopp has stuck with the majority of the group that won 1-0 at home to Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
Taking on a Sunderland side who lost 4-1 last time out against Burnley, Klopp could arguably have afforded to make changes to his starting lineup, but Sturridge comes in as the only alteration.
Simon Mignolet keeps his place in goal, while Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and James Milner are retained as Klopp’s back four.
Joel Matip is still recovering from an ankle injury, with the Cameroonian having played just once in the past month—December’s 2-2 draw with West Ham United.
In midfield, injury to Jordan Henderson (heel) has forced Klopp to shift Emre Can into the deep-lying role, flanked by Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum.
This away clash marks Sadio Mane‘s last before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, and the Senegal winger is joined by Sturridge and Roberto Firmino in attack.
Loris Karius continues his spell on the bench, and is joined by Lucas Leiva, Alberto Moreno, Kevin Stewart, Divock Origi and teenagers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria.
Liverpool are looking for their fifth straight win in the Premier League, as they continue to keep the pace with league leaders Chelsea.
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Sunderland: Mannone; Love, Djilobodji, O’Shea, Van Aanholt; Larsson, Ndong, Rodwell; Borini, Januzaj, Defoe
Substitutes: Mika, Ledger, Manquillo, Honeyman, Embleton, Khazri, Maja
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner; Can, Lallana, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Sturridge
Substitutes: Karius, Lucas, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Stewart, Ejaria, Origi
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