Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on Sunderland vs Liverpool prediction

Liverpool will be aiming to make up some ground on Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League, although the pundits aren't confident about its chances against Sunderland

Paul Merson is expecting Liverpool to drop more points against Sunderland(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are in complete agreement on Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland on Wednesday - although Reds fans won’t be best pleased with their predictions.

Arne Slot takes his side to the Stadium of Light, where they will be aiming to become the first team to inflict a defeat on the Black Cats in their own backyard. With Manchester United and Chelsea having dropped points on Tuesday, this is an opportunity Liverpool can’t afford to let slip.

The Reds begin the day six and five points off their rivals for the Champions League places, and Slot has already made it clear what he deems as “acceptable” for his team this season, with a place at Europe’s top table a must.

Even with Sunderland’s impressive unbeaten home record then, Liverpool will need to find a way to pick up three points - although former Arsenal star Merson is expecting another slip-up.

Predicting a 1-1 draw, he told Sportskeeda: “I saw Sunderland play against Arsenal and even though they lost, I thought they did well. They have what it takes to make Liverpool sweat.

"[Dominik] Szoboszlai will be a huge miss for Liverpool due to his suspension. Arne Slot has no right-back now and will probably use Curtis Jones there. Going away to Sunderland without someone like Szoboszlai, who has done so well this season, can have an impact on Liverpool.

Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai against Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)

“I expect Slot to go with the same team, apart from the forced change at right-back. But I don't see Liverpool winning this game.”

And former Blackburn and Chelsea forward Sutton has predicted exactly the same score, having been impressed by what he’s seen from today’s hosts.

“I know Sunderland lost at Arsenal on Saturday, but I still enjoyed their performance,” Sutton told BBC Sport.

“That might sound odd because they were beaten 3-0, but I still thought the Black Cats were competitive, and they were really physical too. They matched Arsenal for long spells of the game.

“So, Liverpool will know what to expect when they try to become the first team to win at Stadium of Light this season, and this is going to be a very difficult game for them.

“Slot needs a positive result here, for Liverpool to keep in touch with the teams above them in the race for the top four. My only concern about Sunderland is whether they can bring that same physicality again, but I still don't think Liverpool will win.”

Merson and Sutton have already been proved wrong this week though, with both having predicted a win for Chelsea before Leeds went on to snatch a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Sutton also backed United to beat West Ham, although Merson was bang on the money with that game after predicting a 1-1 draw.