Liverpool edged previous Sunderland 1-0 on the Stadium of Mild, with Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header sufficient to separate the perimeters after a cussed defensive efficiency from the hosts.
In troublesome, moist circumstances, the opening phases have been scrappy fairly than free-flowing. Sunderland pressed aggressively and appeared to make use of Brian Brobbey as an outlet, steadily testing Ibrahima Konate in direct duels.
The French defender dealt with the early risk effectively, notably monitoring Brobbey to dam a close-range try after a Mukiele cross.
Liverpool progressively assumed extra management of the sport. Florian Wirtz was the guests’ most ingenious participant within the first half and got here shut on a number of events.
His curling strike from distance pressured a pointy save from goalkeeper Roefs, and shortly afterwards, he discovered house contained in the penalty space solely to see a low effort strike the bottom of the submit.
Roefs was referred to as into motion once more when he denied Wirtz’s header from a Mohamed Salah supply.
Regardless of Liverpool’s stress, Sunderland remained organised on the again. Daniel Ballard and Omar Alderete repeatedly cleared a succession of corners, whereas Alisson was additionally required to react rapidly on the different finish to cease an Angulo effort that bounced awkwardly in entrance of him.
A bodily contest between Brobbey and Konate produced penalty appeals earlier than the interval, however the referee waved play on and the groups went in degree at half-time.
The sample continued after the restart, Liverpool dominating possession however struggling to interrupt by means of a compact defensive form. Sunderland carried an occasional risk on the counter, with Mukiele dragging a shot narrowly huge and Brobbey once more being denied by Konate’s restoration defending inside the realm.
The large second arrived within the 61st minute. Salah swung in a left-footed nook from the best and Van Dijk rose above the gang to flick a header goalwards. Habib Diarra tried to clear on the road however couldn’t stop the ball crossing, giving Liverpool the lead.
The aim modified the dynamic. Sunderland have been pressured ahead and almost responded instantly throughout a goalmouth scramble, whereas Wataru Endo suffered a clumsy ankle damage blocking an effort and had to get replaced by Joe Gomez.
Because the match moved into its last quarter, the house facet elevated their urgency. Substitute Romaine Mundle drove into the field, prompting appeals for a penalty after contact with Alexis Mac Allister, however nothing was awarded.
Liverpool nonetheless created possibilities to increase the lead. Hugo Ekitike headed huge from a Wirtz cross and Salah later volleyed narrowly previous the submit after the ball dropped invitingly inside the realm.
#It was an important three factors for Liverpool within the Premier League, giving them a much-needed enhance within the race for the Champions League locations.
