Liverpool vs. Sunderland: 6 Key Facts to Know Heading in Reds' EPL Opener

Liverpool's last meeting with Sunderland saw them take a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light back to Anfield after suffering a 2-2 draw at home earlier in the season.

Kenny Dalglish will want his charges to start the season off on the right foot with a key opening day victory in front of the Kop and set the tone for his first full season back in charge.

He will be without Steven Gerrard as the captain is still recovering from his operation over the summer. Luis Suarez is also most likely to miss out as he is still returning to full match fitness, but do not be surprised if he comes on at the 60th minute if the Reds are in trouble.

It is looking to be a great opening day for the Reds this year in what is perhaps the most highly anticipated season in years. With that in mind, here are six facts to keep in mind about this weekend's upcoming fixture.

You can also check out the full English Premier League Preview for the opening weekend here.

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Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson made 79 total appearances for the Black Cats and was a permanent fixture in their starting 11 for the last two seasons in which he scored five goals for Steve Bruce.

His £20 million move is one of the highest transfer fees for any English player.

In an interesting twist, Henderson could make his Liverpool debut at Anfield against his former team. If he does, it will most likely be a substitute appearance.

Based on Past Results

Sunderland have been back in the Premier League since the 2007-08 season and have faced the Reds eight times in the top flight since then.

In those eight games the goal differential stands at Liverpool 15, Sunderland three.

Liverpool have won six of those games—all clean sheets from Pepe Reina and the defense. One match was a draw and it was last season at Anfield while still under Roy Hodgson.

The one loss for the Reds came thanks to a random object that will be discussed later on.

Of the Reds still on the team, Dirk Kuyt is the joint leading scorer against the Black Cats with two, with two of them coming last season between the two games. Steven Gerrard is the other with two goals against the Wearside club, but Captain Fantastic will not be on the pitch Saturday.

No Beach Balls Allowed

Remember that incident I just mentioned in the last slide? That is the famous beach ball that dealt the Reds a 1-0 defeat in their only loss to Sunderland in their last eight league meetings.

However, once again, that should not be an issue as the beach ball and inflatables ban from October 2009 is supposedly still standing.

Do not worry Reds fans, we shall not fall victim to that wicked pitch invader once again.

Dirk Kuyt

Kuyt has been on fire since March and his goal scoring exploits are expected to continue as long as he is around the goal.

He scored pivotal goals in both matches against Sunderland last season, and with Luis Suarez still not set to be involved in a full 90-minute match—and captain Gerrard on the sidelines—the Dutchman is the designated penalty taker and best poacher on the pitch.

If Kuyt is on the score sheet, there is a 66 percent chance the Reds will take away points in the match.

Kenny Dalglish and a New Opponent

It is crazy to think that in his 10 years as a manager, at different intervals Kenny Dalglish has only faced Sunderland in the top tier of English football one time. That was last season when he saw goals from Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez give his Reds a 2-0 victory.

In his season at Newcastle, he never got to experience a Tynewear Derby. Now with three players in Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and today's arrival, Jose Enrique, he has three players that can explain that one to him on a personal level.

With a current 100 percent winning percentage again Sunderland in the Premier League, it is hats off to the King as we hope he leads us to victory once again.

Not the Same Sunderland as Last Season

One of the biggest things to realize is that is not the same Sunderland from last season. Steve Bruce has made a ton of moves in the transfer market which all started with Henderson's sale to Liverpool.

The former United defender has taken advantage of his old manager wanting to inject some youth into the Red Devils system as he brought in both Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

One of England's most hyped young attackers in Connor Wickham chose the Black Cats over the opportunity to join Liverpool and six other top clubs.

Ahmed Elmohamady made his move to Sunderland permanent after a succesful loan season with 26 starts and 11 substitute appearances for the Black Cats, providing two assists.

Dong-Won Ji and David Vaughn have also come in to bolster the attack up front along with Wickham, as Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck finally have some new support after the departure of Darren Bent.

Meanwhile, Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larsson have both come over from Birmingham City to rebuild the midfield following the departures of Henderson and Steed Malbranque.

Keiren Westwood comes in to provide better backup cover in goal, and last, but not least, James McClean joined the club from Derry City on Tuesday.

All in all Sunderland will look drastically different this year than in the last few and in my opinion are stronger than their last four seasons in the EPL.