DISHEARTENED manager, Mick McCarthy, has warned Sunderland's dejected players there will be no hiding places when revitalised European champions Liverpool arrive at the Stadium of Light.

Having lost their last six matches, five in the league, the Black Cats could hardly be heading into a fixture with Rafael Benitez's side at a worse time.

Liverpool, the last team the Black Cats beat in a Premiership home game back in December 2002, have responded to their own poor start by going unbeaten in six games, without conceding a goal.

During that time they have secured progress through their group in the Champions League and climbed up the Premiership table, boasting the second best defensive record in the league.

Liverpool's achievements in recent weeks add further fuel to the belief that Sunderland, who have conceded 18 in their last seven matches, are to suffer further humiliation tomorrow night.

But McCarthy, hardly confident his side can end a record-breaking run of 18 Premiership games at the Stadium of Light without a win, insists his squad have to show far more desire if they are to avoid another defeat.

"We have to make sure that Liverpool don't run us over," said McCarthy, who was scathing in his criticism of his team after losing to Birmingham on Saturday.

"We have to play with more fight and determination and desire than we did in the last 20 minutes against Birmingham.

"What we can't do is let our heads go down and we certainly won't want to throw the towel in. We have to scrap until the end.

"Perhaps Liverpool coming here this week is a good thing.

"They will expect to turn us over and hopefully that will inspire a few of us. The players have got to show that they are good enough. The time to do that is on Wednesday."

It seems deflated Sunderland are going to be still without one of the few players who is capable of lifting the spirits around the city - Julio Arca.

Arca had suggested last week that he would be ready to play against Liverpool but that appears to have been a little optimistic.

The skilful Argentine left-footer has not played since September 25 - the day Sunderland last won, at Middlesbrough - with a fractured toe but has only just returned to training and tomorrow could come too soon.

There is a chance striker Stephen Elliott could play after making good progress with his back problem, but neither Stephen Wright nor George McCartney will be fit to return.

Sunderland, who also gave a fitness check to Alan Stubbs yesterday, are in desperate need for all their players to be fit as they look to try to put points on the board during a season that is fast becoming an embarrassment.

Even McCarthy labelled his team as 'gutless and embarrassing' after Saturday's defeat, and he will not hear any complaints from his players.

Young defender Danny Collins, making ony his fourth start of the campaign, certainly backed his manager's demands for major improvements.

"You can't argue with what he said," observed Collins, who was steady enough when he started alongside skipper Gary Breen at the weekend.

"We are the ones out there on the pitch and there comes a time when the manager has to say such things.

"We need to give him a positive reaction - starting against Liverpool on Wednesday.

"We've had a terrible run and the fans deserve better. All we can do is roll up our sleeves and battle on. We need to show some fight, that's the only thing to do in this situation."

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