Liverpool needed a fortunate late moment to avoid another damaging home defeat, as a deflected effort rescued a point against a sharp Sunderland side at Anfield. Arne Slot’s team were passive for long spells and offered little attacking purpose, inviting pressure in a match that threatened to deepen their manager’s troubles.
The visitors seized the advantage midway through the second half when Chemsdine Talbi’s long-range strike clipped Virgil van Dijk and wrong-footed Alisson. That breakthrough reflected the pattern of the contest, with Sunderland having already forced Liverpool’s goalkeeper into tipping Trai Hume’s drive onto the bar earlier in the evening.
Slot again opted to start without Mohamed Salah, only introducing him at the interval to lift a flat performance. Even so, Liverpool struggled to knit anything coherent together, and Alex Mac Allister hitting the frame of the goal in the first half remained one of their few clear threats for much of the match.
Relief finally arrived with nine minutes remaining. Florian Wirtz unleashed a shot that took a heavy touch off Nordi Mukiele and spun past Robin Roefs, pulling Liverpool level and preventing another painful Anfield setback.
Sunderland shine with fearless display
For long periods Sunderland looked capable of taking all three points. Régis Le Bris’s side handled the occasion superbly, showing confidence on the ball and repeatedly unsettling the hosts. Their disciplined shape, complemented by constant ambition in possession, carried them into the closing stages with cause for optimism.
The Wearside club’s approach was underpinned by the influence of Granit Xhaka, whose composure and authority in midfield again proved vital. His presence helped Sunderland control key phases and maintain calm as Liverpool attempted to raise the tempo in the latter moments.
Sunderland’s defensive resolve was equally impressive as they resisted late pressure without losing their structure. Roefs remained assured behind them, contributing to the poise that characterized much of their performance.
Their one regret will come from stoppage time, when Wilson Isidor burst clear with a chance to seal a dramatic victory but failed to convert, allowing Federico Chiesa to race back and clear the attempt off the line.
Liverpool’s form dips back toward mediocrity
The draw came just days after Liverpool ended their run of poor results with a win at West Ham United, a result that had hinted at renewed momentum. Yet this performance suggested that their earlier slump—nine losses in twelve matches—still casts a shadow over the squad.
Wirtz appeared poised to claim his first goal for the club, but the decisive deflection ensured the finish went down as an own goal. It nevertheless proved crucial, sparing Liverpool from another demoralizing outcome and masking another muted showing from an attack in which Alexander Isak again struggled to make an impact.
Even with Salah’s introduction, Liverpool lacked direction and clear ideas, leaving the home crowd subdued. Chiesa’s late goal-line intervention ultimately prevented the match from descending into complete calamity for the reigning champions.
Sunderland, meanwhile, continued their strong early-season form, rising to sixth place with 23 points and reinforcing the sense that this group is evolving into a confident and competitive Premier League side.
