Honestly, if you only started watching football in the last few years, you probably think Liverpool FC vs Sunderland is just some obscure cup tie or a relic of the past. It’s not. With the Black Cats finally clawing their way back into the Premier League for the 2025-26 season after an agonizing eight-year exile, this fixture has suddenly become one of the spiciest dates on the calendar again.
People forget how weird this matchup gets. It’s never just a routine three points for the Reds.
Take their most recent meeting on December 3, 2025. Liverpool, at home, were supposed to cruise. Instead, they spent 80 minutes looking completely lost until a deflected Florian Wirtz strike saved a 1-1 draw. It was a mess. Sunderland, led by Régis Le Bris, didn’t just park the bus; they nearly drove it right over Arne Slot’s tactical plans. Chemsdine Talbi’s opener for Sunderland silenced Anfield, and it took a Nordi Mukiele own goal to keep Liverpool from a humiliating defeat. That’s the thing about this fixture. It’s a trap.
The Beach Ball and Other Absurdities
When you talk about Liverpool FC vs Sunderland, you cannot—and I mean physically cannot—avoid the beach ball incident of 2009. It is the peak of Premier League "bruh" moments. For the uninitiated, a young Liverpool fan threw a red beach ball onto the pitch at the Stadium of Light. Darren Bent hit a shot, it struck the beach ball, diverted past a bewildered Pepe Reina, and Sunderland won 1-0.
Technically, the goal shouldn't have stood. The referee, Mike Jones, became the most unpopular man in Merseyside for a while. It’s a perfect example of why this game feels cursed for the Reds sometimes.
Then you have the 1992 FA Cup Final. Liverpool won that one 2-0 with goals from Michael Thomas and the legendary Ian Rush. It was a moment of pure dominance, but it’s one of the few times things actually went "to script." Usually, it’s closer to that January 2017 match where Jermain Defoe tucked away two penalties to hold Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to a 2-2 draw. Sunderland were in the relegation zone at the time. Liverpool were chasing the title. It didn't matter.
Why the 2026 Rematch is Different
We are currently looking at a very different landscape. Sunderland isn't the "relegation fodder" they were back in 2017. They’re currently hovering around 10th in the table, while Liverpool is in a dogfight for the top four.
The next big clash is set for February 11, 2026, at the Stadium of Light.
- Liverpool's Struggle for Identity: Arne Slot is still trying to figure out his best XI. One week Szoboszlai is on the wing, the next he's central. The lack of cohesion was glaring in the December draw.
- The Sunderland Youth Movement: The Black Cats are leaning on players like Chemsdine Talbi and Wilson Isidor. They play with a fearlessness that older, more cynical teams lack.
- The Home Advantage: The Stadium of Light is going to be a cauldron. They’ve already clocked attendances over 47,000 this season against Newcastle.
Sunderland’s return to the top flight has brought back a specific type of North-South rivalry that the Premier League missed. It’s grit vs. glamour.
Head-to-Head: The Hard Truths
If you look at the raw numbers, Liverpool clearly leads the historical record. Out of 171 meetings, the Reds have 79 wins compared to Sunderland’s 52. But that’s a bit misleading because it counts games from the 1890s when Sunderland was actually the "Team of All Talents" and Liverpool was the newcomer.
In the Premier League era, the gap has widened. Sunderland hasn't beaten Liverpool since 2012. That’s a long time. Over a decade of pain for the Wearside faithful. However, they’ve managed to snatch draws in nearly 30% of their modern encounters. They are the ultimate "spoiler" team.
The 1-1 draw in December 2025 was a wake-up call. Liverpool had Alisson back in goal, Virgil van Dijk leading the line, and even brought Mo Salah off the bench at half-time. They still couldn't find a way to win. It wasn't just bad luck; Sunderland outplayed them for large stretches. Enzo Le Fée was a magician in midfield that night, proving that Sunderland’s recruitment has stepped up several levels.
What to Expect on February 11, 2026
If you’re planning on watching the reverse fixture, don't expect a blowout. Liverpool's away form in 2025 was spotty, including a frustrating 3-3 draw against Newcastle and a loss to Manchester City.
Sunderland at home is a different beast. They recently held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light. They know how to frustrate the big boys.
Arne Slot will likely stick to his guns, but he needs to find a way to get Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz on the same page. In the last game, they were occupying the same spaces, making it easy for Dan Ballard and the Sunderland defense to collapse on them. If Salah starts, it changes the gravity of the pitch, but Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava has shown he can handle elite wingers one-on-one.
Honestly, a draw wouldn't surprise anyone. But if Sunderland manages to nick a win, it would be their first against Liverpool in 14 years. The roof would come off the Stadium of Light.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just tracking the stats, here is how you should approach this fixture:
For the Tacticians:
Watch the battle between Liverpool's full-backs and Sunderland's wingers. In the last meeting, Joe Gomez was targeted repeatedly before being subbed for Curtis Jones. Sunderland's pace on the break is their primary weapon. If Liverpool's high line isn't perfectly synchronized, Wilson Isidor will be through on goal in seconds.
For the Stats Nerds:
Look at the second-half goal trends. In the 2025-26 season, both teams have scored more than 60% of their goals after the 60th minute. This isn't a game that gets decided in the first twenty minutes. It’s a war of attrition.
For the Matchday Experience:
If you're heading to the Stadium of Light, get there early. The atmosphere for Sunderland's return to the big time has been electric. The fan base has spent eight years in the wilderness and they are making every minute count.
The Liverpool FC vs Sunderland rivalry might not have the global billing of a North West Derby, but it has the history, the weirdness, and the pure English football chaos that makes the Premier League great. Don't blink.
Keep an eye on the injury reports leading up to February 11. Specifically, check the status of Alisson Becker and Sunderland’s midfield engine Enzo Le Fée. Their presence (or absence) will dictate the entire tempo of the match. If you're following the title race, this is a "must-win" for Liverpool that feels suspiciously like a "might-lose."