Florian Wirtz may not have scored his first goal for Liverpool but the German was their saviour as he forced an equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland
Premier League (14) | Anfield
December 3, 2025
Goals
Talbi 67′
Mukiele OG 81′ (assist: Wirtz)
Salah benched again – first time in Premier League!
For the first time since joining Liverpool in 2017, Mohamed Salah was named on the bench for back-to-back Premier League fixtures.
It is only the second time in Salah’s nine seasons at the club that he has been benched for consecutive games – his previous three-game run coming after a hamstring tear at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Arne Slot made only one change from the side that won 2-0 at West Ham, with Andy Robertson replacing Milos Kerkez.
A predictable first half from Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It was a slow, subdued start on a Wednesday night at Anfield, with Liverpool almost sitting off Sunderland and allowing them to attack.
On a number of occasions early on it nearly led to a breakthrough for the visitors, with striker Brian Brobbey proving a handful for Ibrahima Konate in the right channel.
Liverpool almost forced an opener through the determination – and near-fortune – of Wirtz, who followed his move into the box and saw the ball rebound off him and just wide of the post.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister reacts to hitting the right post during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Unfortunately it was, by and large, dire football from the hosts: a major disconnect between the rest of the team and the Wirtz-Isak tandem while Cody Gakpo continued to frustrate cutting onto his right.
Alexis Mac Allister saw a header clip the post late on in the half, but the half-time deadlock summed up a disappointing 45 minutes of football.
Half-time: Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Mohamed Salah getting ready to come on at half time during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
More action after the break
Slot made a positive change at the break with Gakpo brought off, which paved the way for Salah’s return to the side as Wirtz shifted to the left flank.
It provided a short uplift in intensity, with Salah combining with Dominik Szoboszlai who moved into midfield, but soon the same patterns returned with few avenues to goal.
Sunderland took the lead midway through the second half through Chemsdine Talbi, with Virgil van Dijk again backing off and allowing the winger to fire a deflected effort in for 1-0.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot avoided his usual response to going behind and instead withdrew Mac Allister for another attacker, this time Hugo Ekitike, with his defence given a reprieve.
Wirtz forced the equaliser late on with a stunning solo move, but the German’s wait for a first Liverpool goal continues as it was credited as an own goal from Sunderland‘s Nordi Mukiele.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (L) after scoring Liverpool's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Seven minutes were added on and both sides pushed for a winner, with substitute Federico Chiesa somehow proving most influential by blocking a certain goal at the other end to deny Sunderland on the counter.
TIA Man of the Match: Florian Wirtz
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez (Jones 65′), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez 86′); Gravenberch, Mac Allister (Ekitike 74′); Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo (Salah 46′); Isak (Chiesa 86′)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha
Sunderland: Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Talbi (O’Nien 90+1′), Le Fee (Geertruida 79′); Brobbey (Isidor 62′)
Subs not used: Patterson, Neil, Mundle, Adingra, Traore, Mayenda
Next match: Leeds (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 6, 5.30pm (GMT)