Liverpool XI vs. Sunderland: Slot Selects Szoboszlai Successor—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

Liverpool head to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night knowing only a first Premier League victory there this season will revive their flickering Champions League hopes after the weekend’s stoppage-time collapse against Manchester City. The Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Anfield, sealed by a late penalty after Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational free-kick had briefly levelled matters, left Arne Slot’s side with no margin for error on Wearside.

The Hungarian’s subsequent red card compounds Slot’s selection headache. Szoboszlai had been deputising impressively at right-back in the continued absence of Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. Gomez remains the lone candidate to reclaim the position, yet club sources describe his chances as “glum,” leaving Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo in line for an emergency outing on the flank. Jones, used sparingly in the role under Jürgen Klopp, now emerges as the leading contender.

Further defensive shortages see Giovanni Leoni still sidelined, while Alexander Isak will not face his former club as he recovers from a broken leg. At the opposite end, Liverpool must rediscover a cutting edge; Mohamed Salah’s intermittent threat and Cody Gakpo’s patchy form have increased calls for Federico Chiesa or academy prospect Rio Ngumoha, though Slot is expected to persevere with his compatriot Gakpo. The blossoming understanding between Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz, so potent in recent weeks, needs to ignite again if the visitors are to breach a Sunderland rearguard that has proved stubborn on home soil.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has started the last five fixtures in search of rhythm, while Ryan Gravenberch—despite operating below last season’s standards—will again anchor the engine room. Virgil van Dijk is set for a bruising duel with in-form Dutch international teammate Brian Brobbey, and Ibrahima Konaté will hope to replicate the composure he displayed in the recent win over Newcastle. Andy Robertson could replace Milos Kerkez at left-back after Sunday’s rotation, and Alisson, culpable for conceding the decisive spot-kick against City, must produce a commanding display to atone for that rare lapse.

With Sunderland yet to taste defeat at home in the league this term, Liverpool’s patched-up XI face a monumental task. Slot’s ability to conjure solutions from an injury-ravaged squad may determine whether their European dream survives beyond the midweek chill of the North East.

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