Black Cats stars out of Reds clash
Sunderland will be without their captain Lee Cattermole for Liverpool's trip to the Stadium of Light after he was shown a straight red card in the moments following Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.
Cattermole had already accrued a two-match ban for his 10th booking of the season during the game against bitter rivals Newcastle. Then, after the final whistle, referee Mike Dean took action and issued him with a red for foul and abusive language.
That earned the midfielder a further two-game suspension meaning he will play no part in Sunderland's next four fixtures.
The Black Cats will also be without their top scorer Stephane Sessegnon for Saturday's game against the Reds after he was sent-off for a 58thminute foul on Newcastle's Cheik Tiote. The straight dismissal will keep him out of action for three games.
The points were shared at the Sports Direct Arena after Shola Ameobi clinched a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute to cancel out Nicklas Bendtner's 24th minute opener.