OFF THE MARK-OVIC: Markovic opened his account for the Reds in their 1-0 win over the Black Cats, scoring his first Premier League goal since his £20 million transfer from Benfica last summer. PHOTO: AFP
The £20 million close-season signing from Benfica scored the only goal in the ninth minute to consolidate Brendan Rodgers's side in eighth place in the table.
Liverpool have lost just once in their last 13 games, renewing hope of a sustained challenge for a top-four finish in May and with it a return to the Champions League.
However, Liverpool are still 10 points behind their tally from this time last year, when they came close to winning the title before being edged out by Manchester City.
Any hope Sunderland had of mounting a comeback disappeared four minutes into the second half when midfielder Liam Bridcutt saw red after being shown a second yellow card for fouling Emre Can.
The closest they came to troubling ex-Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet came just after Bridcutt's departure, when Adam Johnson's long-range effort struck the bar.
Otherwise, the hosts could have no complaints after a defeat that left them with just one win from their last 11 league games, keeping them in danger near the foot of the table.
Wenger has chance to erase Stoke pain
Arsenal's clash with Stoke at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday offers Arsene Wenger with the chance to erase the bitter taste of one of his most testing days as Gunners manager.
Wenger has increasingly found himself under fire from Arsenal supporters in recent seasons but the criticism reached new levels of vitriol after last month's 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
The Gunners' form briefly improved after that dispiriting loss, but another lacklustre defeat at Southampton triggered familiar complaints from fans and pundits and anything less than victory against Mark Hughes' side this weekend will again throw the focus on Wenger's position.
Arsenal lie sixth, three points off the Champions League places, and must put together an improved run if they are to reclaim their familiar position in the top four.
"I feel we are getting stronger now. We could benefit from that because these are players who are not overloaded with games," said Wenger.
"Some of our players have played 26 or 27 games, whereas some have played four or five. These players coming back can give us some impact for the coming months."
Man United seek spark as Southampton close in
Manchester United will attempt to stave off an assault on their third-place position in the Premier League table when they welcome closest pursuers Southampton to Old Trafford on Sunday.
United have gone 10 games without defeat since losing 1-0 at joint-leaders Manchester City on November 2, but they have taken only six points from a possible 12 after drawing three of their last four matches.
Their injury glut has cleared to the extent that Ashley Young (hamstring) is the only player currently unavailable, while the squad was bolstered on Thursday with the eye-catching acquisition of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
"Angel di Maria has played only 20 minutes and that's because of the match rhythm that I gave," said Van Gaal.
"I have said I have only one injured player (Young), but I don't have 100 per cent match-fit players. That's a different thing.”
Sunday's fixtures
Arsenal v Stoke
Man United v Soton
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