Match preview for Sunderland vs Liverpool

Arne Slott is hoping for a change of fortunes against the Black Cats tomorrow night Liverpool interview Sunderland.

The defending champions have endured an unpredictable season and defeat to Manchester City on Sunday means they head to Wearside. Sixth in the Premier League table.

Like many clubs, Liverpool have been plagued by injury problems this term, particularly on the right-back, and Dutchman Slott feels lady luck is rarely on his side.

“It looks like it, that’s for sure,” he said, adding that new signing Jeremy Jackett, who joined the club in the summer, has also suffered a serious injury. “Even if we sign a player and he can’t play for us, he gets injured.

“But the moment you think it’s just bad luck, it hits you too. So we need to get away from that and focus on improving the performance.

“The number of times we concede late is more than usual, so what’s the reason for that? I can definitely say we haven’t been lucky, that’s true. But is it unlucky because of who we are? We’ll find out in the rest of the season.”

Liverpool can’t blame misfortune for losing a late lead against City, with Pep Guardiola’s side scoring an injury-time winner through Erling Haaland to win 2-1 at Anfield.

And Slott admits his side have failed to reach the heights they achieved last season when they won the title in his first season in charge.

He said: “I don’t think we think we’ve only lost two of the last 17. A draw feels like a defeat.

“The players know what Liverpool’s standards mean and we’re not performing to those standards. They’re disappointed. Every game we think we’re going to win it and often we don’t. If you play a whole game where you don’t think you’re good enough, it’s harder than that.

“The players think they can compete with any team in the world but the reality is we don’t perform to Liverpool’s standards.”

They are unlikely to find things easy at the Stadium of Light, with ninth-placed Sunderland holding the last unbeaten home record in the top flight.

Regis Le Bris’ side have been one of the surprise packages of the post-promotion season, although they were well beaten at Arsenal on Saturday.

“Sunderland have had a very good season, and their record at home is also very good and they have already played City and Arsenal at home,” Slott said. “If you come to the Premier League and do as well as them, it’s definitely an achievement.”

Team news for Sunderland vs Liverpool

Sunderland will again be without midfielder Granit Xhaka due to an ankle injury. Bertrand Traore (knee) remains on the sidelines.

Lutscherl Geertruida, who almost joined Liverpool during the January window, and new signing Nilsson Angulo are pushing for a start.

Liverpool will be without Dominik Soboszlai, who was sent off late on against City. Curtis Jones can deputize at right-back. Joe Gomez has resumed training after a hip injury but this game could come too soon.