Liverpool FC vs. Sunderland AFC Preview
Liverpool open their 2011/12 Premier League season with a home game against Steve Bruce's Sunderland. Kenny Dalglish has strengthened his side a lot over the summer, with Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique and Alexander Doni arriving at Anfield. Sunderland have signed no less than 10 players with John O' Shea and Wes Brown moving from Man Utd.
Liverpool will be without Martin Skrtel and captain Steven Gerrard with his persistent groin injury yet to be resolved. Glen Johnson is a doubt after limping off early-on against Valencia last weekend. Luis Suarez may feature after returning from his extended break just a few days ago. Bruce will be without new signing O' Shea who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
There looks to be plenty of new faces on show for both sides with Downing, Adam and Henderson likely to debut for the Reds - Spaniard, Enrique could start on the bench.
Sunderland new-boys Connor Wickham, David Vaughan, Sebastien Larsson, Wes Brown and Craig Gardner may feature at Anfield.
Opening day victories have been hard to come by for the Reds in previous years, winning only four of the previous 10. Last season started with a dogged 1-1 draw with Arsenal and the fans will be hoping for plenty of goals this time around.
Sunderland have won two of their last five after playing in Division 1 (the old Championship) previously.
Liverpool manager Dalglish is looking forward to the start; "We are happy with the business we have done and look forward to the start of the season like everybody else.
"Every club is exactly the same as us and has high expectation before a ball has been kicked. We just hope we can fulfil the expectation. But at the same time we will try to remain realistic and concentrate on one game at a time and see where that takes us."
Steve Bruce is optimistic of his team's chances;
"Under Kenny [Dalglish], Liverpool were resurgent last year.
"When you look at the fixtures we've got a really difficult start - there aren't many tougher places to go than Anfield. It's a challenge for us. We did well there last year and got a result - let's hope we can play well again."
Sunderland have beaten Liverpool just twice in 20 Premier League games, the most recent win coming in October 2009 when Darren Bent's infamous 'beach ball' goal secured a 1-0 win over the Reds.
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How do you think they fair? Expecting Carroll, Downing, to be step above Sunderland. But S'land are solid under Bruce, team unit maybe strong.
I think they'll do well. I can see a good win for Liverpool. The signings are clever ones, they'll fit straight into the starting eleven. Sunderland will be tough but I can see a Red win tomorrow.
This forum neeedd shaking up and you've just done that. Great post!