Martin O’Neill expects emotional meeting

Martin O’Neill expects a strong performance from Liverpool this weekend after publication of the Hillsborough inquiry on Wednesday.

Emotions are likely to be running high when the Merseyside club arrive on Wearside, after the week’s revelations into the cover-up behind the death of 96 of their supporters.

O’Neill spoke to ITV Football, “There will be a really strong atmosphere at the game and there has been really strong empathy with Liverpool across the world.

“They will be very strong on Saturday. I am never sure whether it’s a good or bad time to play them. You have to play them anyway and it’s a game we look forward to.

“I still think we should be looking forward to it from our viewpoint. Of course it will be a rather emotional game, from Liverpool’s viewpoint, but it will be a tough game anyway.”

The Reds will be eager to repay their supporters with a win, as they currently sit in the relegation zone having lost two of their opening three fixtures. Sunderland will be keen to impress in their first home Premier League fixture, after two points gained on the road.

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