Sunderland AFC 0-1 Liverpool FC – Post-match opinion
Liverpool built on last weekends victory by taking all three points from Sunderland last night at the Stadium of Light. An early second half goal from Christian Benteke was enough to secure the win after a steady yet overall encouraging performance. Jordan Henderson leaving the pitch through injury was the only dampener.
Jürgen Klopp didn’t spring any surprises as he kept the same starting line up that defeated Leicester at the weekend, with the exception of Divock Origi who succumbed to a hamstring injury and was thus replaced by Christian Benteke as the lone striker. An enforced change which may would argue was probably for the better. Ex-Liverpool striker Fabio Borini had a shot early on which to say the least was tame and gathered easily by his old team mate and former Black Cat stopper Simon Mignolet .
Although the hosts started brightly, their lack of confidence and quality was clear to see as Liverpool son got a foothold on the game as they looked to continue their impressive record against Sunderland on their own patch. Lallana set up Benteke from the Liverpool left but he was thwarted at the last by Wes Brown. From the resulting corner, Nathaniel Clyne saw a rasping 30 yard drive well saved by Vito Mannone. His hands were likely stinging afterwards, such was the ferocity of the shot.
Moments later, Jermaine Defoe showed his team mate how to do it with a left foot shot from the edge of the visitors’s box. Again, Mignolet was equal to the threat. Sunderland were clearly feeling they had something to gain from this match and showed plenty of endeavour in midfield even though the same couldn’t be said of their finishing. Overall though, their chances were limited by some stout Liverpool defending.
Roberto Firmino enjoying a second successive start went close after being teed up by Philippe Coutinho, only for Mannone to somehow, palm his shot onto his right hand upright in Gordon Banks-esque style. Borini went close after fizzing a shot past the Mignolet’s left post. At the other end, Firmino again went close with a drive from the edge of the hosts box, pushed away by the keeper. End to end stuff it has to be said, and this was probably the most enthralling part of the first half. The fact that the initial period ended goalless was more down to the efforts of both keepers rather than poor finishing, per se. Notably the Sunderland No. 25 who palmed away yet another Firmino attempt as half time loomed.
The second half got off to a flyer with Benteke notching his second goal in as many games. Borini, showing why Brenda Rodgers was so daft to buy him and equally desperate to sell him, lost possession to Nathaniel Clyne in midfield. His forward ball was “nudged” on (let’s say because it looked like a bit of a fluke to be honest) to Benteke who was able to break free of Brown and Sebastian Coates to slot the ball past the – for once – helpless Mannone.
From then on, one got the chance the wind was knocked out of Sunderland’s stomach with that goal. Despite “Big” Sam Allardyce’s vociferous cajoling, there was nothing. Nowt. Nada, nichts, rien, zilch. A couple of late scares as one would expect given Liverpool’s own occasional lack of conviction, but that was it. Jordan Ibe, coming on for Coutinho after 83 minutes missed a great chance to extend the lead late on, blazing over from close range. A simple lack of composure.
Benteke was the most guilty of all when beating the offside trap with minutes left and placing his shot straight into Mannone’s chest to throw away a great opportunity to put the lights out on the game.
To use a cliché, Liverpool could and to be fair, should have won this by a a greater margin. Overall, Liverpool did deserve the victory. Still, three points is three points, and none of us as supporters should sniff at the fact. I’ve seen Christian Benteke and Emre Can given Man of The Match but for me, it should go to Vito Mannone. His heroics in the Sunderland goal kept the score at a respectable level and even flattered the hosts if the truth be told.
Next up, West Ham away on Saturday. Another tough and bruising encounter awaits Klopp’s men but if they continue with the attitude they’ve displayed over the last two games and have a bit more luck in front of goal, then we could start the New Year on a ver positive note indeed. I’ll drink to that!
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