Steven Gerrard begins his Premier League farewell when Liverpool travel to Sunderland on Saturday.

The former England skipper, 34, confirmed this week that he would be joining Los Angeles Galaxy when his Anfield contract expires at the end of the season.

He served up a inevitable reminder of what the Reds will be parting with when he jets off to the MLS by scoring both goals in the 2-1 FA Cup third-round win at League Two AFC Wimbledon on Monday.

The midfielder's uncanny knack of producing for Liverpool when they need it most is perhaps the characteristic that will be most sorely missed when he ends his 25-year association with the club in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers will hope that the likes of Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana will step up after Gerrard's departure, but the latter has been ruled out for a month after suffering a thigh injury in the draw with Leicester City, just as he was finding form.

They may have surrendered a two-goal lead at home to the Premier League's bottom club on New Year's Day, but the Merseysiders are unbeaten in six in all competitions and seemingly on the up.

Victory over a Sunderland side who cannot get any momentum going themselves due to their 11 top-flight draws this campaign could take Liverpool to within four points of the Champions League places.

Gus Poyet's side progressed in the FA Cup at the expense of Leeds United last weekend, thanks to a goal from the returning Patrick van Aanholt, who should continue at left-back after overcoming a broken ankle.

With Sebastian Coates ineligible to face his parent club, John O'Shea and Wes Brown will be the defensive pairing. Liam Bridcutt could continue in midfield as Lee Cattermole nurses a muscle problem.

Jack Rodwell, Anthony Reveillere and Ricky Alvarez are also likely to be missing for the Black Cats, who should welcome back attacking duo Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham after they were rested for cup duty.

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will return to the Stadium of Lights with eyes on him as rumours mount that Rodgers will look to bring in a replacement during the January transfer window.

A striker also seems to be on Liverpool's agenda, but Sterling should return to play through the middle in the meantime, with Daniel Strurridge still sidelined and Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and ex-Sunderland loanee Fabio Borini out of favour.

Lazar Markovic could make just a fifth Premier League start since his £20m switch from Benfica as part of the forward three. Alberto Moreno will be recalled at left wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation for the visitors.

Injury rules out Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan, Joe Allen and Javi Manquillo, while Kolo Toure is at the Africa Cup of Nations as Liverpool try to extend their unbeaten run against the Black Cats to six matches.

Sunderland:

Form in Premier League: DDWLDL
Form in all competitions: DWLDLW

Possible starting lineup: Pantilimon; Vergini, O'Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez; Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher

Liverpool:

Form in Premier League: DLDWWD
Form in all competitions: WDWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard, Moreno; Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic

Sports Mole says: 0-1