Premier League preview: Sunderland v Liverpool

There’s a fair chance attacking football will be played when Sunderland host Liverpool in the Premier League, with both sides still winless.

Sunderland have held Arsenal at the Emirates and Swansea in Wales in their first two matches of the season – both exceptional performances – however opponents Liverpool have been below par this season, losing to West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal while drawing with champions Manchester City.

And the Reds face a daunting trip north to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light for Martin O’Neill’s first home game in charge this season – a place Liverpool have won at least once in their past three visits.

They were scoreless in their two most recent losses there – both were 1-0 reverses – suggesting the match could be a close one, however both sides will be desperate to register points to avoid early season pressure.

Liverpool, embarrassingly, occupy a spot in the relegation zone as it stands in 18th, and despite their rivals not seriously harbouring thoughts of farewelling them to the Championship at season’s end, it’s nonetheless a horrific start to Brendan Rodgers’ reign at Anfield.

Adding further scarlet to the faces of those on Merseyside is that they are struggling with a near-fit squad, with just Joe Cole (hamstring) and Lucas (thigh) their only casualties early in the season.

Sunderland, meanwhile, should get back Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley, Wes Brown and David Vaughan into their matchday squad for the Reds’ visit, as they search for their first league win in the 2012-13 term.

Winger Adam Johnson is likely to miss with a thigh injury, after he withdrew from the England squad for their World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine.

If Liverpool want to look for motivation, an announcement Wednesday might provide exactly that regarding the Hillsborough tragedy which killed 96 Reds fans.

It is expected to be revealed that the ground had no valid safety certificate.