The Anfield match on December 3, 2025 brings a Premier League clash with real stakes. Liverpool vs Sunderland arrives with both clubs chasing Europe in the EPL 2025-26 race. The Reds vs Black Cats storyline tightens after Liverpool ended their skid at West Ham and Sunderland staged a late rally at the Stadium of Light.
Alexander Isak netted his first league goal for Liverpool in that 2-0 win, while Romain Mandl marked his Premier League debut as Sunderland edged Bournemouth 3-2. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike returned for the hosts, with Jeremie Frimpong close. Stefan Bajcetic, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley remain out. For the visitors, Habib Diarra and Aji Alese are sidelined, but Mandl is fit.
This Reds vs Black Cats meeting has a balanced edge. Liverpool’s form has wavered, yet their control at home endures. Sunderland’s away resilience, including a statement win at Chelsea, hints at danger for the favorites. Expect brisk tempo, tight margins, and a crowd tuned to Liverpool Sunderland live updates and Liverpool Sunderland news as kickoff nears.
Across the buildup, we will track data cues that shape this Premier League clash. Look for context on referee trends, head-to-head markers, and chance creation swings that defined the West Ham trip. For fans following EPL 2025-26, Liverpool vs Sunderland is more than a date on the slate—it is a pressure test at Anfield with European hopes in play.
Match Preview at Anfield: Form Guide, Stakes, and Kickoff Details
The stage is set at the Anfield venue for a night that carries weight in the table and on the touchline. With the Liverpool form guide and the Sunderland form guide trending in opposite arcs, both sides know the margins are thin. Fans tracking the Liverpool vs Sunderland kickoff time will circle 03.12.25 at 20:15 as a window that could reshape winter ambitions.
Kickoff, venue, and officiating: Stuart Attwell’s card trends
The Anfield venue hosts under the lights, and the whistle belongs to Stuart Attwell. Recent Stuart Attwell referee stats show his last 10 Premier League games averaging 5.3 yellows, aligning with broader EPL cards trends that point to a lively count. Sunderland’s last five average 5.2 yellows, while Liverpool games sit at 3.8, a cooler profile that could be tested by derby-like intensity.
For clarity on the Liverpool vs Sunderland kickoff time, it’s 20:15 on 03.12.25. With the Kop in full voice and Attwell’s baseline for discipline, total bookings could tilt high if pressing duels and tactical fouls surface early.
What’s at stake: European spots within reach for both clubs
Both teams have the Premier League European spots in view, and the math is tight. Sunderland have six wins in 13, one fewer than Liverpool, yet a one-point edge in the live table adds tension. Three points here may lift the victor into the cluster of European competition, where momentum can snowball across the holiday schedule.
That chase amplifies risk and reward. Expect careful game states early, then a push if the score stays level past the hour mark.
Recent momentum: Liverpool end skid; Sunderland’s comeback win
The Liverpool form guide brightened after a 2-0 win at West Ham. It ended a three-game slide, with a scoreless first half, Alexander Isak’s first league goal on 60 minutes, and Cody Gakpo late on. Underlying numbers backed it: xG 1.23–0.39, 56% possession, and a 9–7 shot edge.
The Sunderland form guide turned with a 3-2 rally over Bournemouth. Down 0-2 inside 15 minutes, they flipped the script through Enzo Le Fée, Bertrand Traoré, and Brian Brobbey, sealing it in the 69th minute. Layer in draws with Everton and Arsenal and a win at Chelsea, and belief is real heading into the Anfield venue, where EPL cards trends and pressing battles may again shape the flow.
Liverpool vs Sunderland
The EPL Anfield showdown arrives with contrasting arcs. Liverpool seek steady form under Arne Slot after a rough stretch, while Sunderland have revived under Régis Le Bris. This Liverpool vs Sunderland match preview centers on control versus counter: the hosts’ positional play still probes, yet the visitors’ 5-4-1 can spring breaks against a high line.
Liverpool’s chance creation sits just short of 1.5 xG of late, but the streak of eight games without scoring more than two goals keeps margins tight. Sunderland’s away resilience stands out after the win at Chelsea, and their broader low-scoring run hints at narrow swings. That fosters a measured Reds Black Cats analysis built on territory, rest defense, and quick outlets.
Liverpool vs Sunderland live coverage will track how Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal and Cody Gakpo’s late strike at West Ham inform selection and timing. Across the pitch, Romain Mandl’s top-flight debut adds a layer to the Liverpool Sunderland line movements, especially if Sunderland sit deep and force play wide.
Markets pull in different directions: one angle favors Liverpool total goals under 2.5 and match totals under 3.5, while another pairs a home win with over 2.5 and both teams to score. That split will color Liverpool vs Sunderland match preview chatter and shape late Liverpool Sunderland line movements as bettors weigh tempo, press traps, and set-piece value.
Expect an exacting Reds Black Cats analysis built on tempo control, second-ball wins, and the first transition. In an EPL Anfield showdown that prizes structure, the opening 20 minutes may set the pattern for risk, pressing height, and how both sides manage the space behind the back line.
Head-to-Head History and Key Numbers
The Liverpool vs Sunderland head-to-head picture spans more than a century, with long gaps in recent years. The archive shows a classic clash of styles and eras, framed by form cycles and the Anfield record vs Sunderland that anchors much of the narrative.
Context matters for trends. The dataset includes top-flight meetings and cup ties, yet the recent pause means Liverpool Sunderland H2H stats lean on established benchmarks. That makes the historical results Reds Black Cats a useful lens for framing expectations.
Last meetings: 2016-17 season (2-0 at Anfield, 2-2 at Stadium of Light)
The last head-to-head dates to 2016-17. Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield, then shared a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. Those fixtures underscore the Anfield record vs Sunderland and set a baseline for the Liverpool vs Sunderland head-to-head in the modern era.
All-time ledger: 170 meetings, Reds lead with 79 wins to 52
Across 170 matches in all competitions, the historical results Reds Black Cats favor the Reds. The tally stands at 79 Liverpool wins and 52 for Sunderland, with 39 draws. These Liverpool Sunderland H2H stats reflect long-term control but leave room for tight margins.
Trends: Four of last six H2H under 2.5 goals; Liverpool unbeaten at home in fixture since 1984
Four of the last six meetings finished under 2.5 goals, highlighting a low-scoring tilt. The Anfield record vs Sunderland stretches back decades without a home defeat, shaping the Liverpool vs Sunderland head-to-head as a fixture where control often outweighs chaos.
The lull since 2016-17 means current form lines are thin, yet the historical results Reds Black Cats still guide pre-match models. Readings from Liverpool Sunderland H2H stats add context to any projection at Anfield.
Team News, Lineups Outlook, and Tactical Talking Points
Fresh updates set the stage for a tight matchup, with Liverpool team news and Sunderland injuries shaping the narrative. The Liverpool lineup vs Sunderland will reflect recent fitness calls, while the Sunderland lineup outlook hints at pragmatism. Expect a grounded tactical analysis Liverpool Sunderland as Arne Slot tactics meet a compact Régis Le Bris 5-4-1.
Liverpool team update: Isak’s first league goal, Wirtz/Ekitike returns, Frimpong close; Bajcetic, Leoni, Bradley out
Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the club at West Ham, a lift that could influence the Liverpool lineup vs Sunderland. Florian Wirtz started and logged 75 minutes, while Hugo Ekitike came on late to add pace. Jeremie Frimpong is close after a hamstring issue and may be managed.
Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute last time and could stay in reserve if rotations persist. Stefan Bajcetic, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley are still out, a factor in the broader Liverpool team news and how Arne Slot tactics balance control with width.
Sunderland team update: Romain Mandl’s PL debut; Diarra and Aji Alese sidelined
Romain Mandl made his Premier League debut at Bournemouth and looked composed. The Sunderland lineup outlook remains steady, with Habib Diarra and Aji Alese sidelined as their recoveries continue. Those absences shape Sunderland injuries and reinforce the back-line depth chart.
The visitors lean on continuity across the spine, keeping selection risk low. That stability supports a conservative setup away from home.
Likely approaches: Reds’ positional play vs Black Cats’ 5-4-1 counters
Arne Slot tactics stress calm possession, but the high line can be exposed. Expect Liverpool to pin fullbacks high, with Wirtz between lines and Isak drawing center-backs. Pace from Ekitike or Frimpong, if fit, could stretch the weak side.
Sunderland should sit in a Régis Le Bris 5-4-1, then break into space behind the defense. Wide counters and second balls are key, along with steady set-piece work. Even with fewer total corners, they often reach a useful volume on restarts.
Key stat edges: xG swing at West Ham (1.23–0.39); Sunderland’s away resilience and low-scoring profile
Liverpool’s win at West Ham showed control with a 1.23–0.39 xG edge, 56% possession, and a 9–7 shots margin. Still, recent trends show they rarely clear two goals, which informs the tactical analysis Liverpool Sunderland and lineup balance.
Sunderland have traveled well, including a win at Chelsea backed by xG. They favor tight games, with most recent matches finishing at or under three total goals. That profile suits a cagey plan and underscores the disciplined Sunderland lineup outlook under pressure.
Net effect: personnel decisions intertwine with pace, spacing, and risk management on both sides.
Betting Trends and Data-Driven Angles
Market signals for Liverpool vs Sunderland odds tilt toward tight scoring and an active cards market. Stuart Attwell’s recent average of 5.3 yellows, paired with Sunderland’s 5.2 and Liverpool’s 3.8, pushes a strong lean to total cards over 3.5. That aligns with the intensity at Anfield and the stakes for European places. For over under goals, trend weight is heavy: under 3.5 shows up in 30 of Sunderland’s last 32 matches and in 10 of Liverpool’s last 11, with seven of their last eight at Anfield also under. These betting trends set a conservative baseline for data-driven picks.
Source one highlights Liverpool team total under 2.5 as the main selection, priced around -161 to -167 at publication on Dec 2, 2025, 10:22. The case is strong: Liverpool have finished under 2.5 team goals in 14 of their last 15 across all comps, including 11 straight in the Premier League and eight straight at home. Sunderland corners over 2.5 also rates well, having cleared in 18 of their last 20. The xG analysis from the West Ham trip (1.23–0.39 in Liverpool’s favor) shows better chance control without breaking the overall low-scoring pull, which still supports under 3.5 and measured goal ladders.
Situation checks matter. Liverpool have dropped two straight at home, conceding seven and scoring one, yet remain unbeaten at Anfield in this fixture since 1984 and haven’t lost to Sunderland in the league since 2012. Sunderland’s away split—two wins in six and scoreless in the other four—shapes BTTS and total angles. That backdrop explains why Sunderland +2.5 has cashed in 22 of their last 23 away dates and the last six away Premier League games, offering a cushion in tighter scorelines.
There is a split in models. Source two projects a 2-1 to Liverpool, favoring Liverpool to win, over 2.5, BTTS, and a second-half goal. Bettors can hedge by pairing Liverpool moneyline with under 3.5, or follow the trend-first route with Liverpool team total under 2.5, total goals under 3.5, and a corners bet on Sunderland over 2.5. In short, the most grounded data-driven picks lean to under-led totals and the cards market, while acknowledging a live pathway to a 2-1 script that fits both Liverpool vs Sunderland odds and recent betting trends.
