Liverpool v Sunderland Match Preview

It’s been an exciting summer in the red half of Merseyside with Kenny Dalglish flexing his financial muscles. Over £100 million has been spent since John W. Henry bought the club in October 2010.  A January splurge by Dalglish for forwards Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez was followed by another spree, which saw Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing all move to Anfield. It’s been a remarkable upturn in fortunes for Liverpool who look a completely different side to the one that started the 2010/11 campaign under Roy Hodgson. Money has been spent on young and exciting players boasting Premier League experience. Whether they can all gel and take Liverpool back to the summit of the Premier League is uncertain but under King Kenny you’d be foolish to bet against them.

Steve Bruce also splashed the cash this summer bringing in nine new players during pre-season. The most exciting of all is young Connor Wickham signed for £13 million from Ipswich Town. Touted as the future of England’s front line the 18-year-old shows that the Wearsiders have ambition. They looked set for at least a 7th place finish last season only to fall down the table dramatically after the sale of Darren Bent. But the money gained from his and Henderson’s sale have been spent wisely with John O’Shea and Wes Brown being brought in from Manchester United to add experience to a leaky backline. Seb Larsson, David Vaughan and Craig Gardner are shrewd buys from relegated Birmingham City and Blackpooland will offer flair, goals and plenty of graft in the midfield.

With both teams fielding a hoard of new signings this has the makings of a very exciting season opener. Jordan Henderson making his Anfield debut against his boyhood club adds a little extra spice and I think he and his side will come out on top against the Black Cats.

Verdict: 2-1

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