Liverpool welcomed relegation-threatened Sunderland to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue their dominant run at the top end of the Premier League.
Taking on a side that hadn’t won a league game at Anfield since 1983, Jurgen Klopp‘s Reds had the weight of history behind them.
But the German gave himself the best opportunity to triumph, naming the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in his starting lineup.
After struggling to break through the Sunderland back line, Liverpool were thrown up another issue as Coutinho was forced off with a foot injury just after the half-hour mark.
Eager not to allow Coutinho’s injury cloud their second half, Liverpool pushed heavily for a goal after the interval, with Firmino going close after some excellent close control in the penalty area.
With an animated Klopp demanding a response from the home support, Anfield gave the Reds a passionate backing, and were almost rewarded as Emre Can‘s bundled long-range effort soared inches past the post.
Liverpool kept pushing, with the clash threatening to go the same way as the previous weekend away to Southampton, but the goal finally came from Coutinho’s replacement, Divock Origi, whose sweeping strike from out wide finally saw Jordan Pickford beaten.
Liverpool claimed a penalty in the 90th minute with a foul on Sadio Mane to seal their lead.
Liverpool travel to the Dean Court to play Bournemouth next week Sunday.
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