Sunderland vs. Liverpool: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match
Liverpool defeated Sunderland 1-0 on their travels to the north-east on Wednesday night, as manager Jurgen Klopp's side climbed to seventh in the Premier League table.
An early second-half strike by Christian Benteke got the Reds on their way, and the solitary goal was enough for the Anfield giants to grab the victory.
Benteke was Klopp's only change to his starting XI at the Stadium of Light, as the injured Divock Origi dropped out of the squad.
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Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce made four changes after the defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day and named experienced campaigners Wes Brown, Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Jermain Defoe in a 4-3-3.
Liverpool looked lively in the first 45 minutes but failed to penetrate the Sunderland back line despite going close.
Nathaniel Clyne and Philippe Coutinho both had chances to break the deadlock, but the hosts survived the early opportunities against them.
Benteke started the tie in fine fettle, and he appeared more comfortable with Klopp's tactics than previously, as highlighted by football writer Nik Postinger:
Defoe answered for Sunderland as they tried to push forward, and he forced an outstretched save from Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Roberto Firmino went closest in the opening half, but his effort from range was expertly denied by the fingertips of stopper Vito Mannone. The Brazilian shimmied back and forth to fashion his chance, but he saw his shot rebound off the post.
Sunderland lost Rodwell to injury as the half progressed, and he was replaced by Duncan Watmore. OptaJoe commented on the switch:
Liverpool had dominated proceedings as the first half came to a close with superior possession and attempts on goal.
WhoScored.com issued the vital statistics and player ratings during the break:
Sunderland were immediate shocked as the second half kicked off, and they conceded after only 22 seconds from the restart.
Liverpool fashioned a chance through the centre as the Black Cats froze, and Benteke finished his opportunity with aplomb.
The hosts were stunned by how quickly the Reds pressed them, and in true Klopp fashion they wrestled the lead with a swift attacking move.
The goal jolted Allardyce's men into life, and former Liverpool player Fabio Borini twice tested Mignolet and the opposition's back four.
There was more menace about Sunderland's play as the half quickly progressed, but Liverpool looked comfortable on the break, as Benteke and Coutinho pulled the strings.
The Mirror's Alex Richards praised the striker's return to the starting lineup:
However, Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe was less complimentary about Benteke and questioned his quality:
Liverpool looked edgy in the final 10 minutes as Sunderland made one last push to claim an equalising goal.
However, Jordon Ibe should have made it two in the final moments of the match, firing his effort high and wide when it looked like he would double Liverpool's lead. Benteke also had a gilt-edged chance in stoppage time, but he couldn't beat Mannone when one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Klopp will be satisfied by what he saw on Wednesday night, but the Reds are very much a work in progress and only edged their way past a poor Sunderland team.
The Black Cats expended plenty of energy as they dug deep to find a goal, but it was the Liverpool fans singing as the referee blew the final whistle.
Post-Match Reaction
Klopp was content with his team's 1-0 win on Wednesday, and expressed his delight in his side's hard work against Sunderland, per the club's official Twitter account:
Liverpool and Sunderland both feature on Jan. 2 in the Premier League in their next games, as the Reds travel to West Ham United, and the Black Cats host Aston Villa.
