Liverpool will be looking to keep the pace with Premier League leaders Chelsea when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Monday.

Since the disappointing 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth at the start of the month – where they were leading 3-1 before the incredible turnaround – the Reds bounced back with a draw against West Ham and then four straight wins against Middlesbrough, Merseyside rivals Everton, Stoke City and, most impressively, Manchester City.

The 1-0 victory, courtesy of Georginio Wijnaldum's header, may be looked back on as a vital win come the end of the season, with the Reds having kept themselves just six-point behind Chelsea at the top, while moving four ahead of Manchester City.

They face a Sunderland side who come into the fixture in not particularly good form after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day and worrying 4-1 battering at fellow relegation battlers Burnley.

Here is FootballFanCast’s Liverpool XI that will take all three points on Wearside…

GK: Simon Mignolet

Following some questionable performances between the sticks throughout the season, Jurgen Klopp’s first choice goalkeeper Loris Karius was dropped to the substitutes’ bench earlier this month with Simon Mignolet coming in.

The Belgian conceded just once in his three appearances up until Saturday, and he will look to keep another shutout at the Stadium of Light to help re-establish himself as the number one at Anfield.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

The England international has proved over the course of the past few seasons that he is one of the best and most reliable full-backs in the Premier League, and he is certainly thriving in Jurgen Klopp’s style of play at Anfield.

As well as being solid defensively, Clyne is encouraged to get forward and support his teammates in attack. It will be no different against a Sunderland defence that has shown its vulnerability at times this term.

CB: Dejan Lovren

With Joel Matip on the sidelines because of injury, the Croatian has taken on the role as Liverpool’s main centre-back in the last few weeks - forming a new partnership with summer signing Ragnar Klavan.

The combination that has worked well though – Liverpool have conceded just the one goal in their last four matches – and with the Cameroonian due back but unlikely to be risked until the FA Cup tie against Plymouth at the earliest, it is one that will continue on Wearside.

CB: Ragnar Klavan

The experienced 31-year-old had found first team opportunities hard to come by following his summer move to Anfield, but with Joel Matip on the sidelines and Lucas seemingly not fancied in an unfamiliar centre-back role, it is Klavan that has stepped in.

The Estonian has possibly impressed more than Jurgen Klopp would have expected him too, and after conceding just once in three matches – including a clean sheet against rivals Everton – he is in pole position to continue at the heart of the defence.

LB: Alberto Moreno

 

One of the changes Klopp may make to deal with the two games in 48 hours problem is Moreno in for James Milner.

The experienced England international was excellent in the hard-fought win over Manchester City, but with the 30-year-old having had a demanding night against Raheem Sterling, his Spanish teammate will be fresher, and with Sunderland not exactly in form, he'll likely spend more time on the front foot than the back, which favours his playing style.

CM: Lucas Leiva

 

In what may well be his last match for Liverpool, Lucas could be sued to fill in for Jordan Henderson, who was forced off in the second-half vs. Man City with an ankle problem. The Reds' skipper is unlikely to be risked, especially with a little break after the Sunderland game for the FA Cup Third Round and the experienced Brazilian has the quality to step in.

There are fears about his mobility nowadays, but his experience should get him through a 90 minute clash against a tired Sunderland.

CM: Emre Can

 

Brought back in for the win over Man City, Can will be asked to go again at Sunderland. The German has been on the sidelines of late after coming back from injury and despite playing the full 90 minutes at Anfield, he should have enough in the tank to feature vs. Sunderland.

His powerful running and sheer physicality will be enough to worry Moyes, too.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

The former Newcastle man has been a regular starter in Liverpool’s midfield in recent weeks and is the kind of middleman who would thrive against a defensively-insecure Sunderland side.

Indeed, the Dutchman occupies a deeper role than during his time with the Magpies but likes to get forward and certainly knows where the goal is, netting eleven times for Sunderland's local rivals last season.

CAM: Sadio Mane

 

In a slightly different role due to this formation, Mane is likely to be pushed into starting, with Klopp aware that he'll be without the Senegalese star for around a month as he jets off to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mane has been excellent this season, and getting him into a central position to run at a weak Sunderland side could be the difference.

ST: Daniel Sturridge

The England striker has had to wait for opportunities in the first team this season, but he has certainly put himself in contention for a start - scoring almost instantly after coming on as a substitute in the 4-1 win against Stoke City last weekend.

He may not fit Klopp's philosophy but the German gaffer certainly isn't oblivious to Sturridge's obvious talents and against a Sunderland side that will likely sit deep, his poacher's instincts could prove vital.

LW: Divock Origi

Freshness will be key vs. Sunderland, and with Origi having only played 30 minutes vs. Man City, he and Sturridge could form the sort of frontline that will have too much energy for the Black Cats.

The pair have played together in a two-man system in the past and looked excellent.