Sunday, March 28, 2010

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Sunderland

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has no new injury worries for the home match against Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.

With no midweek match, Benitez has been able to give his squad some time off to recuperate from a busy schedule involving Europa League matches.

He may opt for a more attacking line-up at home than he did for last Sunday's defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which could bring the likes of Ryan Babel, Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun into contention.

Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are still a couple of weeks away from fitness while Albert Riera is unlikely to be included as the club consider a loan deal to Russia for the Spain winger.

Benitez does not believe his summer transfer budget will be affected by their Barclays Premier League finish but remains confident they can still qualify for Europe's premier club competition.

"I understand really well. For five years we qualified for the Champions League so we knew it was important for the club,'' said the manager.

"They (the owners) told me at the beginning of the season that there would not be a big difference (in the transfer budget).

"Hopefully we can finish in the top four. We've had one bad season but we hope it will be better another day.''

If Liverpool are to overtake fourth-placed Tottenham and Manchester City, as well as keep Aston Villa at bay, they need to win at least five of their remaining seven matches.

That starts at home to Sunderland, who were 1-0 victors back in October courtesy of Darren Bent's goal which was controversially deflected in off a beach ball thrown from the crowd.

Anfield stewards will be extra vigilant to ensure there can be no repeat from the visiting fans but Benitez is more concerned with beating the Black Cats.

"We are strong. We lost against Manchester United (last Sunday) but they were at the top of the table and the difference between the two teams was very small,'' said the Liverpool boss.

"I am sure Sunderland will provide a physical test for our players but if we can play our game we can beat anyone, especially at home.''

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has a chance of returning at Anfield.

The Trinidad and Tobago international has missed the last two games with a hip flexor injury but is back in training and may well be involved.

However, defender John Mensah (hamstring) is struggling after limping off at Aston Villa in midweek while midfielder Andy Reid remains on the sidelines with a similar problem.

Fraizer Campbell will draw upon his Manchester United roots as he attempts to deepen Liverpool's misery.

The 22-year-old Sunderland striker grew up in the game at Old Trafford, and although he played only a handful of senior games for the club after emerging from the Red Devils' Academy, he is well versed in the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

This weekend, the Huddersfield-born player will step out at Anfield determined to complete a famous double which would be almost as well received in the red half of Manchester as it would be back in the north-east.

Campbell said: "I have got a lot of Manchester United fans in my family, so they would be more than happy with that.

"These are the type of games that, when you are a youngster, you think, 'I would love to play at Anfield'.

"Every time I have played against Liverpool, there has always been a bit of bite.

"It will be good to go to Anfield and hopefully come away with a result and more points.

"We beat them earlier in the season at home, so I don't see why we can't do it now."

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