Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header was enough to give Liverpool an impressive three points on a wet and windy night at the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool got back to winning ways against Sunderland (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool won a hard-fought 1-0 away game against Sunderland, raising their hopes for the Champions League. The Black Cats were forced to lick their wounds after losing their first home game of the season, with Virgil van Dijk scoring the only goal of the game.
Arne Slott’s side dominated the first half but had nothing to show for it. Florian Wirtz came closest, but the Liverpool star’s hard-fought effort hit the post and saved the busy Robin Roofs.
The second period started in a similar fashion, until Van Dijk’s header turned the tide. Sunderland stepped up in the closing stages to put pressure on the Reds, but Regis Le Bris’ side were unable to find a late equalizer to improve their chances of qualifying for Europe.
Here are five topics from Stadium of Light.
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1. What you need for the slot
Despite spending £449m in the summer, Liverpool are struggling with numbers. The Reds’ lack of defensive depth has hurt them all season, and with makeshift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai suspended for a red card, Slott had to call on players on the periphery.
Midfielder Wataru Endo joined in a trade and will be making his second start in the Premier League in the past two seasons, and his first this season. Joe Gomez fit well on the bench and natural right back Calvin Ramsey was an option, but Coach Slott selected Endo to fill the biggest hole in the lineup.
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Arne Slott had to get creative with Liverpool’s starting XI (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
2. Wirtz finds his flow
Werts endured a lot of criticism in the months following his £116m move. In an era defined by statistics, you didn’t have to go far to find fans and pundits comparing his dominant performance at Liverpool to his prolific career at Bayer Leverkusen.
But lately, Wirtz has seemed much calmer, especially against Hugo Ekitike. The German was a bright spark for Liverpool, dominating the first 45 minutes here.
Wirtz displayed some neat footwork and took a shot that hit the post. It was one of Liverpool’s 14 shots on Sunderland’s goal before the break, but only two of those were on target and Roofs handled them.
Florian Wirtz was a constant threat even in a goalless first half (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
3. Liverpool’s improved set pieces
One of the reasons for Liverpool’s woes this season is their poor performance from set pieces. Heading into this round of games, only Wolves had scored fewer goals from dead balls than the Reds.
But things are looking up after Szoboszlai’s free-kick against Manchester City and Van Dijk’s header at the Stadium of Light. Mo Salah’s corner kicks were a threat throughout the match and Rufus had to clear them with punches on numerous occasions.
However, in the 61st minute, the Dutchman failed to intervene and was punished by his compatriot. Van Dijk rose highest to meet Salah’s shot, and his header hit Khabib Diarra’s head and into the back of the net.
Virgil van Dijk broke Liverpool’s deadlock from a corner (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
4. Right-back curse continues due to Endo’s injury
Sunderland’s reaction after falling behind was good. The Black Cats immediately started chasing the game, looking for the tying goal as the crowd cheered.
Liverpool thwarted that threat but paid a price for Endo. The Japanese player caught his ankle in the grass while clearing the ball, and despite trying hard to take a corner kick, he appeared in agony and was carried off on a stretcher instead of Gomez.
Wataru Endo became injured Liverpool’s right-back (Image: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
5. The Sunderland fortress is breached.
With six games remaining, Sunderland finally lost at home in the Premier League. The Stadium of Light has denied the likes of Arsenal and Man City this season, but Liverpool have done what they couldn’t.
Thanks to Newcastle’s win on Tuesday, Regis Le Bris’ team has dropped to 11th place. A top half finish is the goal for the remainder of the campaign.
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