The Black Cats travel to Anfield for a midweek Premier League match, with the Regis Le Bris side sitting sixth in the table.
Liverpool ended their poor run of form with a 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, but this is likely to be a much bigger test.
Ahead of the match we spoke to Graham Falk from WTF Sunderland Podcast (@WTFSunlunPod) to discuss a brilliant season for the Black Cats, Liverpool’s form and much more.
How good has Sunderland been?
Incredible actually, but not entirely surprising if you’ve been paying close attention.
Since the arrival of Le Bris, we have an undeniable solidarity that can take you extremely far. We never know when we will be defeated.
I think everyone saw how we won the play-offs. Things like that give you extra faith.
It’s a cliché, but Sunderland is a wonderful place to play football, if you understand it.
Combine that with tactical knowledge, excellent recruitment that identified the right fit for the team and the world-class leadership of Granit Xhaka thrown in, and Wearside is a tough place to get into for anyone.
What has been the secret of your success?
Much of the above.
If I’m honest, there was a part of me that worried that the return journey would be better than the destination.
I didn’t know how good our recruiting would be. Our manager is so calm, collected and astute. It’s never too high, never too low.
At a club like Sunderland that’s hard to do and balance because we’re a goldfish bowl.
However, the addition of Xhaka was a masterstroke. He is the straw that stirs our drink. The connectivity layer between fans, players and club is also very tight.
Bournemouth thought they had beaten us 2-0 on Saturday, but we just got behind the players and they believed in themselves, and we responded.
Which three players have stood out the most this season and has anyone struggled with them?
This won’t shock anyone, but Xhaka has been a different gravy. I would probably say he is the best footballer we have ever had in my life.
His talent, his experience, decision-making and leadership, it’s another level. I watched very poor quality footballers four or five years ago, and to see him now as my captain, wow!
Apart from Granit, Enzo Le Fee was excellent. He is eight out of ten most weeks and never drops below seven.
It’s difficult to choose between a number of others, but I’ll go for Noah Sadiki. The kid has endless amounts of energy and is not unlike N’Golo Kante in terms of playing style.
What is the goal for the season now?
Seventeenth on goal difference. I’m not changing my mantra on that.
Do I think the team is better than that? Absolutely, I think they’re a top 10 Premier League side, but let’s get our safety and go from there.
What do you think of Liverpool’s collapse? Would you stay with Arne Slot?
I’m surprised. I thought your recruitment was solid and your team therefore untouchable, but you just don’t have that chemistry.
That said, with the amount of quality you have, it can’t take long for you to get back into shape and Sunday was a big win for you.
As for Slot, it’s a tricky one. Do I see anyone doing better? Maybe if Jurgen Klopp fancies a return, but Liverpool are a unique club and I think you are most dangerous when you are all together and united.
I would stay with him. He is an excellent manager who is going through a difficult period.
You can have all the talent in the world, but trust is hard to implement on a whim, and if the results disappoint you, there’s not much you can do but keep going.
It’s the number of games you’ve lost that has shocked me. Zero drawdowns – a few of those would reverse and you’d be in a much healthier position.
However, the quality on your end will see it change.
Where do you think Liverpool will finish?
I think both Arsenal and Man City looked better than you, but you are better than Chelsea.
I think third, with us just behind you in fourth. Sounds good, right?
Looking ahead to Wednesday: where will the main battles take place?
When I look at where Arsenal and Chelsea struggled against us, it was with our physicality and our organisation. The only team that managed to break through that was Man United, and they scored early.
The idea of ’just going to Liverpool’ seems a bit silly; the game must be played and managed correctly, similar to Chelsea’s victory in October.
Xhaka is the key, and if he and Sadiki can win the midfield battle we might be able to get something.
Finally, what is your prediction?
The fact that I don’t immediately think about defeat is a testament to how well we’ve done.
We’ve got Liverpool and City away in our next two games, then N**castle and Brighton, so they’re really tough games.
I’ve been to Anfield five times and seen us play three times. I would like to see us get a point, but I think Sunday’s win will take some of the pressure off.
Plus, I don’t think you’ll underestimate us either, unlike some who did and ended up with egg on their faces.
Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland, unfortunately.
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