With just one point to their tally, Liverpool will be desperately looking for a victory at the Stadium of Light against a team that boast quite a few former Manchester United players, which should give this game an extra feel to it.

Just when it looked that Sunderland will enter a new season with virtually the same squad, the club owners produced quite a coup by signing the likes of Louis Saha, Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson, while also loaning Danny Rose from Tottenham.

The new signings had an instant impact, having helped the Black Cats earn a draw at Liberty Stadium, their second of the campaign, but they have yet to be presented to the fans at the Stadium of Light after the home fixture against Reading was postponed.

Having had two full weeks to prepare for this match and going into the clash on the back of two credible away draws, Sunderland look a good bet at 3.40 (12/5) offered at BetVictor.

New signing Adam Johnson is rated doubtful after withdrawing from international duty because of injury, but Martin O’Neill hopes the winger will recover in time to start against Liverpool.

Manchester United graduates Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley will not be able to face former arch rivals due to injury, with John O’Shea and Carlos Cuellar expected to form the centre-back pairing.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Mignolet – Gardner, O’Shea, Cuellar, Rose – Johnson, Larsson, Cattermole, McClean – Sessegnon – Fletcher.

After three Premier League rounds, Liverpool find themselves in the relegation zone, having picked up just one out of possible nine points.

Oddly enough, the Reds produced their best performance in the clash against the reigning champions, when they were very unfortunate not to take all three points, but defeats to West Brom and Arsenal acted as a major blow to the players’ confidence.

The international break will have done the team a lot of good, even if most of the starters were away on international duty, but at odds of 2.30 (13/10) offered by Bodog, Liverpool are not worth backing here.

New signing Nuri Sahin has slotted right into the starting line-up after Lucas Leiva picked up a new injury, while youngster Raheem Sterling looks set to continue his run in the side.

With Jose Enrique back to the side, this definitely looks like the strongest starting line-up Brendan Rodgers has at his disposal.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Reina – Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique – Allen, Sahin – Borini, Gerrard, Sterling – Suarez.