On an evening when the visitors arrived at the Stadium of Light after achieving a victory over their closest challengers in the title race, Liverpool could have expected an easier task. But as has been reiterated time and again, there is no easy game in the Premier League.
The table may reveal that Sunderland are 18th in the table and Liverpool lie 2nd. But on the early evidence, the hosts seemed to defy their league position. The Stadium of Light was in a vibrant mood and that vibrancy transitioned onto the team’s playing style.
Also read: EPL 2016/17 - Sunderland 2-2 Liverpool - Player Ratings
Sturridge opened the scoring in the only period of dominance in the first half for Liverpool. Defoe promptly equalised 7 minutes later to draw his side level after Klavan clipped a Sunderland player to concede a penalty. At the end of the first half, both teams walked off the pitch level.
The second half once again saw Liverpool take the lead through Mane before another Defoe penalty ensured that the Black Cats began their 2017 on a positive note. Coming back from a goal down on two occasions does augur well for David Moyes’s side if they are to avoid relegation this season.
Here are the top five moments from the game:
#1 Sturridge’s return overshadowed by Henderson absence
A lot has been written about the way the English striker has reacted to the fact that he is no more a starter in Jurgen Klopp’s side. There have been reported rumours of the player looking to make a move away from the club. Rumours aside, there has been no word from the player as over the past few weeks, he has worked his way into the German coach’s plans.
Sturridge scored in his last appearance for Liverpool and was rewarded with a start in this game. It was the striker’s second start and the Englishman made the most of the opportunity scoring an instinctive header in the 19th minute. The goal was indicative of his class as he scored with his back to goal, something that can only be described as an instinctive finish.
Michael Owen on air described the goal as a natural finish for a striker of Sturridge’s capability. However, plaudits aside, Liverpool struggled to get a foothold in the game and the missing Henderson was keenly felt. Henderson has been a revelation this season and other than leading the team, he is Klopp’s man on the pitch who is constantly conveying the German’s instructions to his team-mates.
To add salt to injury, Sturridge too walked off the pitch gingerly. While later scans will reveal the extent of the injury, Klopp is not counting his blessings for sure, given that he is about to lose some of his key players to injury. However, the silver lining is that it will be an opportunity for the rest of the squad to work hard and make themselves count.
#2 Sunderland seemed more fluid than Liverpool in the opening exchanges
The energy of the crowd filtered on to the pitch as Sunderland took the game to their opponents. David Moyes fielded a side which was keen on attacking with Borini and Januzaj assisting Defoe upfront. The trio put in a tireless shift as they combined their defensive duties with their attacking instincts.
Maybe it was sluggishness from the earlier game, but Liverpool took time to get into their groove. Initially, they were overrun in the centre of the field for the majority of the first half as Sunderland looked to make their dominance count. Ndong found space on the edge of the Liverpool box and looked to snake his way past the defence, where he was upended by Klavan.
Anthony Taylor had no hesitation in pointing towards the spot and up stepped Defoe to draw Sunderland level. At the time, it was a deserved reward for the drive and determination they had shown to take the game to their opponents.
Although Sunderland did take their foot off the gas in the second half, Vito Mannone denied the Liverpool forwards from increasing their lead. Moyes though will be delighted with the fluidity of the performance in the first half and the result will also give him a reason to smile after the Burnley loss on Saturday.
#3 Mane leaves on a sour note
For much of the game, the Senegalese was an electric presence. A tinge of excitement was evident in the away stands whenever Mane received the ball. With this being the Senegalese’s final appearance for Liverpool before leaving for the African Cup of Nations, he was keen to make his mark from the start. His bright running provided the outlet Liverpool were looking for. Clyne ably supported the Senegalese, making runs from deep to assist him down the right flank.
However, the Senegalese might have expected his job to be done after he scored the goal to give Liverpool the lead in the 78th minute. But 5 minutes later, Mane went from hero to villain as he stuck his arm out in the way of a Sunderland free-kick. The manner in which his hand was held out didn’t give the referee a lot to think about and up stepped the ageless Defoe to promptly dispatch his second penalty of the game.
Mane has been an inspired signing for Jurgen Klopp’s side having played his part in the first half of the season. The Senegalese will hope to add to his 9 goals and 4 assists, with both club and player, hoping that the midfielder doesn’t fall victim to any injuries.
#4 Sunderland’s lapse of concentration may haunt them
In the 57th minute, Sunderland fans must have felt a sense of injustice as Anthony Taylor waved away a contentious penalty call. As Januzaj found some space on the wing, he looked to cross the ball. The ball was somehow diverted by an Emre Can elbow, and the Stadium of Light roared for a penalty. The Black Cats did have the right to feel aggrieved at the time but subsequent replays confirmed that the referee was right not to award a penalty.
Soon after, they were further aggrieved when Mane was on hand to convert from a few yards out. Mane was in an offside position but as the ball came off a Sunderland defender, the goal was given. Once again, they were undone, more by their lapse in concentration than the endeavour of their opponents.
For most parts of the second half, Liverpool dominated the possession but they were unable to find their way through. Nevertheless, patience was the key and it was only a matter of time before the goal came.
Moyes’s arrival at the Stadium of Light has thrown up some inspired collective performances from this Sunderland side. But the alarming regularity with which individual defensive mistakes are committed must be increasing the white hair on the Scotsman’s head. Although the Black Cats continue to remain in the bottom three, Moyes will be encouraged with the point as Sunderland look to avoid relegation once again.
As Moyes stated at the end, “I thought we did quite well, matched Liverpool's energy for long periods of the game and deserved a draw. We had big chances as well. I never thought we were out of it. The important thing was to not concede a third goal. In the end, we got a deserved penalty.”
#5 Anthony Taylor gets all the big decisions right
The man in black is often the centre of attention depending on the way the game is going. And in a fiercely hostile Stadium of Light, Anthony Taylor was at the centre of everything that could be deemed controversial. From the opening minutes, it seemed that the referee was in for a hard time.
While the initial exchanges were comfortable enough, Taylor repeatedly got all the big decisions right on the night. More importantly, he got the penalty calls correct, especially the second one which could have gone either way.
Even the decision not to award the penalty when the ball hit Can’s elbow in hindsight seemed to be the right decision. At the time of the incident, it seemed he might have got it wrong but replays proved him correct. Milner, as well, was rightly booked for dissent and for the most part of the game, he allowed it to flow.
For both teams, it must have been encouraging to have such precise refereeing.
