Brendan Rodgers’ men went to the Stadium of Light looking to extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 7 games. Sunderland, who have already taken points off of Man United, Spurs and Chelsea at home this season, were hoping to increase the gap between themselves and those in the bottom three.
Alberto Moreno and Fabio Borini came into a side that was otherwise unchanged from the one that narrowly beat AFC Wimbledon in midweek, with Javi Manquillo and Rickie Lambert dropping down to the bench. Steven Gerrard once again started in the front three, with Markovic moving across to the other flank to play right wingback, allowing Moreno to play on the left hand side.
Wes Brown, Connor Wickham, Adam Johnson and Sebastian Larsson all came in for Sunderland, at the expense of Jack Rodwell, Ricardo Alvarez, Steven Fletcher and Sebastian Coates – who was ineligible. Sunderland set up to outnumber Liverpool in midfield, with Gomez and Sebastian Larsson playing slightly advanced of Liam Bridcutt in holding midfield.
Lazar Markovic was at the centre of three main talking points in the first half. Philippe Coutinho’s impressive performance started with a perfectly weighted, fourth minute through ball which found its way through to an on running Markovic, who was brought down just inside the box by Wes Brown. Much to the dismay of Brendan Rodgers, a goal kick was given, after a promising start from his men.
The referee, Craig Pawson, was soon forgiven, though, as he allowed play to go on after Fabio Borini was fouled on the edge of the box. Borini’s touch found its way to Markovic, who’s persistence was rewarded as the ball ricocheted back to him off of Patrick van Aanholt, allowing him to coolly slot past the onrushing Pantilimon in the Sunderland net.
Liverpool were patient in possession and dominated for the next 20 minutes. Sunderland struggled to fully clear a cross and the ball dropped perfectly for Markovic on the edge of the box. The Serb unleashed a rasping, scissor kick volley that cannoned off of the underside of the bar, rebounding off of Pantilimon’s back before going off for another Liverpool corner.
Five minutes later, Sunderland’s Liam Bridcutt picked up a yellow card; an event that would have a much larger significance later on in the match than first anticipated. With 39 minutes on the clock, Liverpool broke with Fabio Borini, who played the ball wide to Steven Gerrard. The Captain surged into the box and attempted to catch the Sunderland shot-stopper out at his near post, but fired his powerful effort into the side netting.
Moments before the board went up to indicate how much stoppage time would be played, Emre Can – from his position at right centre-back – played a perfectly weighted through ball in behind the Sunderland defence. Fabio Borini raced onto the ball and took it round Pantilimon before attempting to slot it in from a tight angle. Unfortunately, much like Gerrard moments before, he could only find the side netting.
The halftime scoreline failed to accurately reflect the Reds’ dominance and you always felt that Sunderland would come out better in the second half. Rodgers was forced into a halftime change, with Steven Gerrard feeling a slight tightness in a leg muscle. Dejan Lovren, who slotted in at right centre back, replaced him. Emre Can then moved up into the position that Gerrard vacated, once again proving his versatility. Would Liverpool go on to regret missed chances?
Just like in the first half, Markovic was once again involved early on, receiving a pass on the edge of the box before shooting just wide of the right hand post. Two minutes later, Bridcutt’s first half yellow card became a lot more troublesome for his side. Emre Can looked to break down the right hand flank; Bridcutt – who couldn’t keep up with the German’s surging run – clipped his heels and sent the big man tumbling. Pawson pulled out a second yellow for Bridcutt, sending the home side down to 10 men.
Liverpool, who many expected to push on and look to score more goals, found themselves penned in by a Sunderland side with a “nothing to lose” attitude following Bridcutt’s dismissal. This spell in the game saw Sunderland create their best chance of the game in the 53rd minute. Adam Johnson found himself in space outside Liverpool’s box and unleashed a thunderous left-footed effort. Mignolet was well beaten by the swerve of the ball, and was lucky to avoid scoring an own goal after the ball cannoned off of his crossbar. Luckily, Martin Skrtel was the first to react and he cleared the danger.
Both sides struggled to create many more chances in the last half an hour of the game. Mario Balotelli, who replaced Fabio Borini after 67 minutes, found himself on the end of a few half chances, but was unable to affect the scoreline.
Apart for the initial spell after the red card, Liverpool looked largely comfortable throughout the entire game, and were able to see out the 1-0 win. The entire team played well, with Mamadou Sakho, Emre Can, Lucas and Lazar Markovic – who was awarded man of the match – being the standout players. Mario Balotelli was effective when he came on, Dejan Lovren? Not so much. Despite now being one point above the relegation zone, Sunderland is never an easy place to go and this result should not be underestimated.
