Liverpool’s pursuit of a Champions League return found its pulse on Wearside as Virgil van Dijk proved the difference on a night where records fell and the injury list grew.
On a night where grit was required in equal measure to quality, the Reds didn’t just walk away with three points. Instead, they became the first team this season to leave the Stadium of Light with maximum points. Of note, Virgil van Dijk played a pivotal role in ensuring Liverpool achieved this result.
Sunderland’s home turf has been a tough place for visiting teams so far this 2025/26 campaign. It has boasted a 12-game unbeaten streak that seemed to grow with every passing week.
But records are there to be broken, and Arne Slot’s men finally found the hammer to crack the Wearside resistance. This breathed fresh life into a top-four hunt that is rapidly becoming a sprint to the finish.
Captain fantastic breaks the mold
The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute, and it was a goal steeped in historical significance. Virgil van Dijk, rising with the kind of authority that has defined his Anfield career, met a Mohamed Salah corner with a thumping downward header.
The ball took a slight nick off Habib Diarra on the line, but there was no doubt whose goal it was. With that strike, Van Dijk moved onto 23 Premier League goals for Liverpool. He officially surpassed former Reds legend Sami Hyypia to become the highest-scoring defender in the club’s Premier League history.
It was a fitting way to settle a contest that had been balanced on a knife-edge. Before the breakthrough, Florian Wirtz had come agonisingly close in the first half. He saw a low drive clip the post with Robin Roefs beaten. In football moments like these, the influence of Virgil van Dijk cannot be overstated.
Closing the gap
The three points act as a massive shot in the arm for Liverpool’s top-four ambitions. With Manchester United and Chelsea both dropping points on Tuesday, the door was left ajar; Slot’s men simply had to capitalise on the opportunity presented. Additionally, Virgil van Dijk’s presence consistently strengthens Liverpool’s pursuit.
The win leaves the table looking far more favourable as Liverpool move to within three points of 4th-placed Manchester United and two points behind Chelsea in 5th. This is a spot that remains highly likely to offer a Champions League berth this year.
The heavy price of victory
As has been the script for much of 2026, the euphoria of the final whistle was tempered by the sight of the medical staff. Wataru Endo’s evening ended prematurely on a stretcher. He was the victim of a sickening ankle twist while making a vital clearance.
The “right-back curse” continues to haunt the Premier League Champions, and while Joe Gomez’s successful return from the bench provides some respite, the loss of Endo is another bitter blow to a squad already stretched to its limits. Still, Virgil van Dijk’s leadership during adversity proves invaluable for Liverpool.
Liverpool have toppled the fortress and their captain has rewritten the record books. Now, the focus shifts to whether they can sustain this momentum as the bodies continue to fall.
