Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday night aiming to build on their 2-0 win at West Ham, but face a Sunderland side flying high and sitting above them in the table.

Liverpool were preparing for another cold Wednesday night under the Anfield lights, the kind of night where emotions mix with fear, excitement and pressure. For Arne Slot, this match against Sunderland was not just another normal Premier League game. It was a moment where everything felt like it could change, a moment where one victory could bring hope back into a dressing room that had suffered too many painful blows in recent weeks. The fans could feel it, the players could feel it, and even the city itself felt like it was holding its breath. Sunderland were arriving with confidence, swagger and momentum, sitting above Liverpool in the table, something nobody would have predicted four months ago. But football always finds a way to shock everyone.

As Liverpool returned to Anfield after their important 2-0 away victory over West Ham United, there was a quiet feeling of relief inside the squad. October and November had been storms that almost drowned their season. Three straight league defeats had broken spirits and created questions that fans never wanted to ask. But the win against West Ham, even though it was not perfect, brought a little sunshine back. It brought belief. Slot knew the job was far from finished, but he also knew that the team had finally taken a step forward after weeks of stumbling. And that first step was always the hardest one.

The pressure around the club had been heavy. Liverpool were eighth in the Premier League table, something the supporters found difficult to accept after many years of chasing titles. They were three points behind Chelsea, four points behind Manchester City, and stuck in a dangerous part of the table where one mistake could pull them even lower. But Slot kept telling the players that football is a game of small steps, not giant leaps, and if they continued to fight, things would slowly turn in their favor again. The packed December schedule was coming, and he knew it could break or rebuild a season. For him, the Sunderland game was the first chapter in this big story.

Sunderland, meanwhile, were arriving at Anfield with belief running through their veins like electricity. Their last game, a thrilling comeback victory against Bournemouth, had reminded everyone that this Sunderland team had a heart that refused to stop beating. They were 2-0 down in the first 25 minutes, looking lost and finished. But suddenly something changed. Enzo Le Fée scored the first goal, Bertrand Traoré added the second, and Brian Brobbey completed the comeback with the winning goal. It was the type of victory that makes a team feel unstoppable.

That 3-2 victory did more than give them three points. It ended a bad run of three games without a win. It lifted them into sixth place. And most importantly, it pushed them one point above Liverpool in the table, something their fans celebrated loudly. People had doubted Sunderland, but this performance sent a clear message: they were not just surviving in the league, they were competing. And now they believed they could travel to Anfield and take something away from Liverpool’s home ground, something most teams fear to even imagine.

But Sunderland also knew that Anfield has a personality of its own. The noise, the pressure, the expectations, the history — all of it can crush a team no matter how confident they are. Their manager, Regis Le Bris, understood this perfectly. He spoke calmly before the match, praising Anfield but also reminding his team that they must come to compete, not to watch. He said his players had experience, they had courage, and they were ready to take on one of the hardest atmospheres in football.8

Arne Slot also spoke before the game. He did not shout, he did not complain, he did not blame anyone. Instead, he spoke with humility and honesty. He reminded everyone that Liverpool must remain humble, must continue working hard, and must be ready to fight for every minute on the pitch. He said improvement would only come through desire, not luck. He wanted his team to show hunger, determination and unity. He wanted them to write their own story instead of waiting for the world to feel sorry for them.

Liverpool’s injury list continued to cause problems. Conor Bradley was still out. Jeremie Frimpong, one of their most important signings, was unavailable. Young defender Giovanni Leoni was also ruled out. These were not small absences, they were big blows to Slot’s plans, but he had no choice but to trust the players available

Sunderland also had their own problems. Aji Alese was unavailable, Habib Diarra was out, and Leo Hjelde was also missing. But Sunderland had faith in their squad depth, especially after their comeback win. They believed anyone could step in and perform.

The predicted line-ups painted a picture of two teams ready for battle. Liverpool were expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Alisson in goal, Joe Gomez at right-back, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk in the center, and Milos Kerkez at left-back. The midfield two of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were expected to control the game. Then came the attackers. Mohamed Salah on the right side, Florian Wirtz in the middle, Cody Gakpo on the left, and Alexander Isak leading the line as the striker. This team had power, pace, and creativity. But they also had pressure on their shoulders.

Sunderland were expected to play a 5-4-1 formation, a setup that could frustrate Liverpool if used correctly. Roefs in goal, with a back-five of Mandava, Alderete, Geertruida, Ballard and Mukiele. The midfield four of Le Fée, Sadiki, Xhaka and Traoré had energy and control. And up front, Isidor stood alone as the striker, ready to counter-attack whenever Liverpool made mistakes. This formation showed Sunderland’s respect for Liverpool, but also their confidence that they could survive the pressure and find chances of their own.

As fans across the world prepared for the match, the TV details were simple. The game would be shown live on Sky Sports Football. The SkyGo app would stream the match for viewers who preferred to watch on their phones or laptops. Coverage would start at 6:30pm GMT, building the atmosphere until the kick-off at 8:15pm. It was expected to be a night full of tension, passion and football drama.

Inside Anfield, the mood was shifting. Liverpool fans wanted a return to dominance, but they also understood that their team was in a rebuilding phase. Arne Slot was still new, the squad was changing, and the young players were learning. But this match felt important. A win could push Liverpool back toward the top-six chase. A loss could deepen the worries around the club.

Mohamed Salah was again the center of attention. Every movement, every touch, every decision would be watched with intensity. Some fans wondered if he would show the killer instinct he used to display before. Others believed he would rise again, especially under the Anfield lights. Isak, the new striker, also carried expectations. He had the ability, the strength and the speed to trouble any defense. Slot hoped this would be the night he delivered something special.

Sunderland, on the other hand, were the team with nothing to lose. They were above Liverpool in the table, something that would give them confidence. Their young players had grown fearless, and their experienced players had become leaders. The comeback against Bournemouth had changed everything. Now they believed they could challenge anyone. And they were arriving at Anfield with a mission — to shock the Premier League again.

As the match approached, both managers stayed firm in their words. Slot kept emphasizing humility, discipline and desire. Regis Le Bris kept reminding his squad that Anfield was special but not untouchable. He wanted his team to respect Liverpool but not fear them.

The noise around the game grew louder as kickoff approached. Fans debated line-ups, tactics, predictions and pressure. Liverpool supporters hoped for another clean sheet. Sunderland fans hoped their team’s energy would overwhelm Liverpool’s midfield. The media highlighted the importance of the game for both sides.

And then, the lights, the cold air and the rising chants completed the scene. You could feel the electricity across the stadium. You could feel the tension. You could feel the story about to unfold. Liverpool needed a win. Sunderland wanted to make history. It was a night where anything could happen, and both teams were ready to fight for every moment.

And that is how the world prepared for a match that carried drama, expectation, emotion and the pure beauty of football. A night where Liverpool wanted redemption, Sunderland wanted respect, and the Premier League wanted another unforgettable chapter