Preview: Sunderland (h)

Mar. 28, 2010 - 05692271 date 28 03 2010 Copyright imago BPI Fernando Torres of Liverpool and Paulo there Silva of Sunderland PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxFRAxNEDxESPxSWExPOLxCHNxJPN Football men England Premier League 2009 2010 Action shot Vdig 2010 horizontal Highlight premiumd Football.

“At the end of a storm, there’s a golden sky…”

This week has definitely been a storm for Liverpool FC. A defeat at Old Trafford, the nightmare of Northampton, and more turmoil over the ownership of the club.

Liverpool enter Saturday’s home match with Sunderland with just one league win to their name this season and desperately needing three points.

Roy Hodgson will name a new eleven to that that failed to defeat fourth division Northampton. The back five is likely to be unchanged from the United match but in midfield it will be interesting to see how the Reds line-up. Last week Raul Meireles played the more advanced role ahead of Steven Gerrard, the two of them may end up partnering each other in midfield this time out.

Dirk Kuyt is back in the squad after returning from the shoulder injury sooner than expected but unlikely to start.

Sunderland are without Anton Ferdinand and Kieran Richardson, who both picked up hamstring injuries in midweek, but Titus Bramble – this week arrested on suspicion of rape – is set to start.

Record signing Asamoah Gyan also hurt his hamstring against West Ham and is a major doubt, but captain Lee Cattermole is back from a two-match ban.

Kick off at Anfield is a rare Saturday at 3pm. Liverpool fans are to hold a post-match sit in protest against the ownership of the football club.

Referee: Stuart Attwell