SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night ordered his players to make amends to disappointed Wearside fans in today's full-house clash against Championship-chasing Liverpool.

"We haven't given the fans enough this season - the players know that - and this is an opportunity for us to give them something to cheer about," he said.

"Overall this season the crowd has been fantastic - they were brilliant again at Leeds last Sunday - and we've got to repay them over these last four games."

Sunderland have sold 48,355 tickets for the game, even though it is going out live on Sky pay-per-view, and it will beat the previous record at the Stadium of Light, which stands at 48,305 when Manchester United were visitors in October last year.

Reid, who supported Liverpool as a boy, said: "We expect a really difficult game but it is a great game to involved in - a fantastic game.

"It is a full house, a record crowd and the atmosphere does not come any better than at the Stadium of Light for big games. It is a massive game - great."

Sunderland go into the match looking for a win which would clear away lingering relegation worries, while Liverpool, knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, need a victory to maintain their momentum in the race with Arsenal and Manchester United for the Premiership title.

But Sunderland have not beaten Liverpool at home in their last 19 League games since August 1958 and they go into the clash hoping that their leading scorer, 11-goal Kevin Phillips, will be able to throw off a stomach strain in time to play.

Phillips has not scored for eight games, but his very presence gives the team - and the fans - a boost in confidence.

Reid said: "He has had this niggle and has been playing when he has not been 100 per cent fit.

"But the boy is desperate to play and has shown a great attitude. If he doesn't play we miss him, I've got to say that."

Reid wants to re-establish the attacking partnership of Phillips and Niall Quinn in the closing weeks of the season, and he believes the big Irishman still has a crucial part to play in helping the club secure its Premiership safety.

Quinn has been able to take a breather in recent weeks following the arrival on loan from Italian Serie A club Parma of Patrick Mboma, but the big Cameroon international is ruled out today with an ankle injury. Reid said: "Niall Quinn has been outstanding.

"We have used him a lot more than I would have liked but certainly in the last few games, with the rest he's been having, he has been outstanding for us."

Reid is certain his team can rise to the occasion against Liverpool, who will be desperate to bounce back after the 4-2 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

He said: "It doesn't need an Einstein to work out that this is a massive game for both football clubs.

"I thought Liverpool were a little unlucky in midweek in the European Champions League quarter final.

"Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson have got them back winning trophies and challenging for the League Championship.

"But games like this bring the best out of my team - we have done well against all the big teams here and we've given them games."

Reid still believes that Arsenal will snatch the League title, but feels that the race will go right to the wire.