LIVERPOOL VS. SUNDERLAND- TORRES FAVOURED TO SCORE

Liverpool will need to put one of the worst weeks in the club’s illustrious career behind them today, as they prepare to host Steve Bruce's Sunderland at Anfield.
The last time these two teams met the Reds ran out deserved 3-0 winners, however to say that this Liverpool side is a shadow of its former self is an understatement.
With the week beginning  with a 3-2 loss to rivals Manchester United, few could have envisioned it getting any worse, before a nightmare elimination from the Carling Cup by League One minnows Northampton Town ensured that it very much could.
That being said, Hodgson is no slouch, and he will be doing his darndest to recover this afternoon, and finally set Liverpool on their winning ways.
You can be dead sure that Hodgson will not be using this game as a 'second chance' for the fringe player contingent that saw the team eliminated last week. He will start strong, and will expect nothing less than a thumping victory in return
Sunderland were dealt a huge mental blow during the week, when they bowed out of the Carling Cup themselves courtesy of a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Premiership basement side West Ham United.
The team will also be somewhat shell-shocked by this week’s revelations that Titus Bramble had been arrested over matters regarding his private life, and will most certainly not be fit to play today.
With all of the above taken into account, Liverpool are still deemed as odds on favourites to win at 4/9. Sunderland are placed at a rather conservative 7/1
With a strikeforce including Gerrard, as well as Torres, one would feel that Liverpool will be attacking hard today, and that goals will most certainly result.
A 2-0 Reds win is set at 11/2, with a more likely 3-1 at 12/1-great money for a very likely scenario.
For the more optimistic backing a 1-0 Sunderland win will see odds of 16/1
On the goalscorer front, Fernando Torres, despite increasing speculation that he us unhappy at the club, is still favourite to open at 5/2, with a 4/7 payout for him to score at anytime.
David Ngog is at evens to score, with Gerrard a good look-in at 6/5
For Sunderland leading goalscorer Darren Bent tops the list at 9/4, with Asamoah Gyan worth a punt at 10/3
Although Liverpool’s high profile stars weren’t on show during the side’s miserable outing midweek, one would feel that they will head out today seeking redemption.
Realistically one will struggle to see a shaky Black Cats defence dealing with likes of Gerrard, Cole and Torres.
Prediction and Tip: Liverpool to win at 4/9