Injuries force Reid to put full squad on alert

It is the first time in his six-year reign on Wearside that Reid has had to adopt such a desperate measure. But he could find himself without his three recognised central defenders as Sunderland face one of the most lethal front lines in the Premiership.

Brazilian Emerson Thome is already ruled out with a calf injury and both Jody Craddock and Stanislav Varga are doubtful, along with Scottish B international midfielder Alex Rae.

Reid admitted: "It is obviously a concern, but I have been saying I have a strong squad and this will be an acid test.

"Make no mistake, this is our biggest game of the season and we need to win it if we have designs on finishing at the top end of the table."

Sunderland have slipped from second place to fourth after successive defeats by Manchester United and Derby County, and Reid knows that it is vital to stop the rot.

He said: "The players know how crucial this game is.

"But we are looking forward to a fantastic game. Liverpool are on a great run and they have had some terrific results recently in all competitions, which shows just how strong they are as a football club."

Craddock is the most serious doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in training on Thursday.

Reid said: "I am always very, very wary about little touches on hamstrings, calves and groins because they can turn from a one- week job into something that lasts two months, which is something we don't want to happen.

"I will have all my professional players reporting for duty at the Stadium of Light.

"It is an unusual course of action but with Emerson Thome out and Varga and Craddock having fitness tests it is not an ideal situation.

"But it has happened and you have got to get on with it. It is the most important game of the season."

Reid remembers his team's demise last season, when they went 11 games without a win after losing 5-0 at Everton on Boxing Day, but feels that he has a stronger side now.

He said: "After our good run last season some of our performances were really poor and it concerned me.

"But against Manchester United and Derby, while I was disappointed by the results, I was pleased with the overall performances.

"We conceded a goal in each game and lost so we haven't been scoring.

"But we had just as many chances, if not more, as Manchester United and we had just as much of the ball against Derby. If Don Hutchison had stuck away his chance it might have been different.

"Last year we were poor at places like Coventry and at Everton we were battered.

"Now we still look solid at the back. But we need to win if we have designs on being a force at the top of the league."

Reid is pleased that Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn has recovered from a neck spasm and will be able to resume his partnership with 14-goal Kevin Phillips.

He said: "We have missed chances but I believe if you keep playing well and get a bit of quality in the final third you will get goals.

"Kevin Phillips must have had ten shots in the first half at Derby. He just wasn't hitting the target. Sooner or later he will hit the target and he will get goals.

"Niall Quinn is very influential in any side and our side is no different. He is a very influential footballer.

"If Sunderland are playing and you see Niall Quinn's name on the team-sheet you know he will cause the opposition problems."

Sunderland have not beaten Liverpool in 21 League and Cup games on Wearside since goals from Don Kitchenbrand and Reg Pearce gave them a 2-1 victory at Roker Park in August 1958, the season after the club's first relegation from the top flight.

Since then Liverpool have established themselves as one of the top clubs in Europe, while Sunderland are trying to become a force in the Premiership.

Reid said: "When you consider that six years ago we were fourth bottom of the First Division we have come a long way.

"Liverpool have been possibly our strongest club nationally - it is a toss up between them and Manchester United.

"But there is no toss-up in Europe. Liverpool have been our premier club in Europe since Bill Shankly brought them up in 1962.

"We have a long way to go but we are getting there and we are ahead of schedule. But to get to the stage where you are full of internationals and even have them on the bench and can leave a few out, I think we are still a bit behind Liverpool.

"We have still got a bit to go until we are like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal - but we are getting there.

"We were second top last season before we went belly-up but I do think we are stronger to cope with things this season. That's why I think it is an acid test for us against Liverpool.

"It is a big, big test for us."

l Winger Julio Arca, who helped Argentina take runners-up position in the FIFA South American Youth Championship, is likely to be substitute against Liverpool following a 16-hour flight back to Britain this week.