A huge three points for Liverpool, with Virgil van Dijk’s early second-half header securing a 1-0 victory at Sunderland. In a much-improved display, Arne Slot saw his side control and dominate a game which they really should have won more comfortably, and in which, yet again, they suffered an injury to their right-back.
With both Chelsea and Manchester United unexpectedly dropping points in midweek, Liverpool, somewhat surprisingly, ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home run. Dominant—other than for the opening ten minutes—though struggling to create clear chances, it was Wirtz who came closest to breaking the deadlock; his shot struck the post as Liverpool camped on the edge of the Wearsiders’ penalty box.
Liverpool certainly deserved this victory and, despite enforced changes due to the suspension of Dominik Szoboszlai, looked solid. Endo at right-back showed a tenacity hitherto lacking in much of Liverpool’s defending this season, whilst Konate, who seems to have rediscovered some form, made a crucial intervention at 0-0 during one of Sunderland’s rare forays upfield. At times, they looked a little open in midfield and were perhaps fortunate that Sunderland lacked the players to exploit the space vacated by Mac Allister and Gravenberch, but they always looked the more likely to score.
Having gone in level at half-time, Liverpool eventually took the lead on the hour. Van Dijk rose highest from one of their many corners, his header hitting the roof of the net via a deflection from a Sunderland defender on the goal line. Liverpool then fell back into the habits that have so often cost them this season.
Nervous, too deep, and looking on edge, they invited Sunderland onto them. With the home crowd finally given something to cheer, Liverpool were under pressure. As in the first half, though, Sunderland lacked the quality to punish Liverpool’s obvious fragility; despite what looked like a serious injury to Endo, Liverpool kept their target of Champions League football for next season alive with a much-needed victory.
