A fortuitous, late deflected strike from summer signing Florian Wirtz spared Liverpool's blushes as the Premier League champions were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by a dogged Sunderland at Anfield.
Sunderland's Anfield Ambition
Few would have predicted newly-promoted Sunderland would be above the reigning champions come December, but Régis Le Bris's side showcased exactly why with a confident, high-tempo start. Brian Brobbey led the line superbly on his first league start, engaging Ibrahima Konaté in a physical duel, while neat interplay from Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée kept Liverpool's defence unsettled.
The visitors created the better chances in a disjointed first half. Trai Hume capitalised on a loose touch from Dominik Szoboszlai and unleashed a 25-yard drive that Alisson could only push onto his crossbar. The Brazilian keeper was then forced into action again in stoppage time, tipping over a deflected volley from Chemsdine Talbi.
Liverpool's Attacking Struggles
Liverpool, by contrast, promised only in flashes. Their play was characterised by carelessness, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak receiving scant service. The Reds' best opportunity of the half fell to Wirtz after a poor clearance from Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs, but the German's attempted poke was smothered.
The growing discontent prompted manager Arne Slot to act at half-time, introducing Mohamed Salah for the anonymous Cody Gakpo. It was only the second successive game the Egyptian icon had started on the bench in his Liverpool career. While Salah immediately sought to influence the game, a Sunderland defence marshalled impeccably by Omar Alderete stood firm.
Late Drama Secures Shared Spoils
Against the run of play, Sunderland took a deserved lead after a costly error from Virgil van Dijk. The captain miscontrolled outside his box and scuffed a clearance straight to Le Fée, who found Talbi in space. The winger's shot took a decisive deflection off Van Dijk and looped beyond a stranded Alisson in the 71st minute.
With Anfield growing restless, Liverpool finally found a response. A lapse from Talbi allowed substitute Curtis Jones to steal possession, and Wirtz took over inside the box. The German weaved past two defenders before his shot cannoned off Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele and flew past Roefs in the 81st minute to equalise.
Sunderland nearly snatched a dramatic winner in stoppage time when Wilson Isidor rounded Alisson, only for a miraculous goalline clearance from striker Federico Chiesa to preserve a point for the hosts. The result leaves Liverpool's title defence stuttering, while Sunderland will rue a missed opportunity for a first win at Anfield since 1983.
