After a rousing win over Manchester City on New Years Eve, Liverpool visit the Stadium of Light looking to repeat the trick against an underperforming Sunderland side.

Jurgen Klopp will not look to put too much pressure on his best stars for their trip to the Stadium of Light and could rest many of them for the match against the Black Cats.

Two players who will definitely be missing out will be Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Cameroonian defender Joel Matip. Both are out with ankle injuries, and Klopp confirmed ahead of the match that they will be unavailable for the game on Monday.

“I don’t believe in miracles,” said Klopp when asked about whether Coutinho or Matip could face Sunderland, according to the official club website.

“Nobody told me they can do what you have to do when you want to play a football game in two days. No chance.”

Klopp will look to rest the majority of the players involved in the 1-0 victory over City on Saturday. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, however, is set to be one of the few players to retain his place as the Reds look at some serious squad rotation.

Liverpool's Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Middlesbrough and Liverpool at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, northeast England on December 14, 2016. Liverpool won the match 3-0. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Middlesbrough and Liverpool at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, northeast England on December 14, 2016.
Liverpool won the match 3-0. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby/AFP/Getty Images)

In central defence, Lucas Leiva will probably come in to replace either Dejan Lovren or Ragnar Klavan. Teenager Joe Gomez is also likely to be given a start in place of Nathaniel Clyne, while out of favour left-back Alberto Moreno could replace James Milner.

In midfield, the trio of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum are likely to retain their places in the absence of experienced senior cover. In attack, the pair of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are likely to get a look in while Klopp will want to rest the recently returned Adam Lallana and controversy hit Roberto Firmino.

Senegalese winger Sadio Mane could keep his place. Although, with the African Cup of Nations on the horizon, Klopp will have to be careful with the player.

The bad news for Sunderland is that they will be without their brilliant young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is out till February with a knee injury. In Vito Mannone, David Moyes has an experienced back-up, and the Italian goalkeeper is more than likely to have his hands full against an attacking Liverpool side.

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