Liverpool team vs Sunderland predicted as Dominik Szoboszlai replacement picked

Liverpool heads to Sunderland in the Premier League, with the Reds needing to find a replacement for Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back following his red card against Manchester City

Dominik Szoboszlai will be missing through suspension for Liverpool against Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot has a big decision to make as his Liverpool side heads to Sunderland for what will be a major test of its Champions League credibility.

The Reds have the chance to claw back some points on Manchester United and Chelsea, with both of those sides having dropped points on Tuesday. The gaps currently stand at six and five points respectively, and Liverpool simply can’t afford to pass up an opportunity like this.

Fifth place looks as though it will be enough to secure a spot at Europe’s top table next season, although the fact we’re even discussing that tells you exactly how Liverpool’s season has gone so far.

And Wednesday's game is certainly not a game to be taken lightly, with Sunderland the only side in the league still boasting an unbeaten record at home, with even the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City having been unable to take all three points from the Stadium of Light - the Reds though need to find a way.

To do that, Slot is going to have to get his selection at right-back spot on. With Dominik Szoboszlai suspended after his red card against Manchester City, yet another player is going to have to step into the void.

Slot clearly isn’t keen on the idea of Calvin Ramsay getting a chance, and Joe Gomez is unlikely to be ready to start after his recent injury, so it comes down to Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo.

Curtis Jones could step in at right-back against Sunderland(Image: Kate McShane/Getty Images)

The former seems as though he’s the closest to earning a place in the side regardless of position, so we’d imagine it will be Jones who gets the nod at right-back - and that’s likely the only change that will be made.

There is very little to choose from elsewhere at the moment. If anyone else is likely to come into the side, it’s perhaps Andy Robertson, although the weekend’s FA Cup game against Brighton seems like a more likely option for him.

Therefore, Milos Kerkez continues at left-back, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as usual at the heart of the defense, sitting in front of Alisson Becker in goal.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister take their usual spots in midfield, with Florian Wirtz in the No.10 role.

Further forward, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo could do with rediscovering some form - a goal or two from either certainly wouldn’t go amiss today.

Hugo Ekitike retains his spot up front, although Slot does need to be careful with him after he played every minute against City. Liverpool cannot afford to lose him to injury right now.

Liverpool predicted line-up vs Sunderland: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.