GUSTAVO POYET has surprisingly named two strikers to face Premier League title chasers Liverpool at Anfield tonight.

Connor Wickham, who was only recalled from a loan with Leeds United on Monday,  has been thrown straight in to the starting line-up to partner misfiring Jozy Altidore in attack.

Italian Emanuele Giaccherini will provide the link with the attack, while Poyet has also recalled Santiago Vergini to the heart of a defence which will include five defenders for the first time under him.

Liverpool are looking to close the gap to league leaders Chelsea to one point by defeating Sunderland, who will have to keep the deadly duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge quiet if they are to stun Merseyside.

LIVERPOOL (4-1-2-1-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan; Gerrard; Henderson, Allen; Coutinho; Sturridge, Suarez. Subs: Jones (gk), Aspas, Moses, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Sterling.

SUNDERLAND (5-2-1-2): Mannone; Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Vergini, Dossena; Bridcutt, Cattermole; Giaccherini; Wickham, Altidore. Subs: Ki, Larsson, Johnson, Roberge, Scocco, Ustari (gk).