Three key battles ahead of Sunderland v Liverpool

M’Vila v Coutinho

The former Queens Park Rangers target has been one of the sole positives for Sunderland this season. The France international has been playing in a box-to-box role as he has tried to protect a creaking Sunderland defence but also get forward to support the Black Cats’s forwards. On Wednesday night, M’Vila will need to show more defensive discipline up against Philippe Coutinho. The Brazil playmaker hasn’t rekindled his impressive early form under Jurgen Klopp since his return from injury. Coutinho has scored five goals and has made three assists in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old will be the key man for the Reds to unlock a defensive Sunderland side.

Defoe v Lovren

Sunderland will be expected to camp bodies in their own half in a bid to deprive Liverpool of space to carve open their suspect defence. Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne will be urged to get forward in an attempt to stretch the Sunderland back four. In turn, this could leave Liverpool susceptible to the counter-attack. Dejan Lovren produced one of his best performances for Liverpool in a 1-0 victory over Leicester. But Jermain Defoe’s experience and pace will provide a real test of Lovren’s progress. Has Lovren turned a corner or was his Foxes’s performance a one-off?

Borini v Clyne

As already mentioned, Sunderland will look to expose Liverpool on the break at Stadium of Light on Wednesday night. Alongside Defoe, Fabio Borini will have a key part to play if Sam Allardyce’s side are to end a four-game losing run. His pace on the left wing will be a threat and Clyne will need to keep tabs Borini’s cunning movement, especially if he pushes forward to help the Liverpool attack. Furthermore, Borini is desperate to score against his former employers: “Yes, I’d like to score against Liverpool. More than anyone else. I’ve said everything I want to already about my time there.”