Liverpool drew for the first time this season as they had to come from behind against Sunderland at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz, the £100m summer signing, thought he had scored his first Reds goal in the 81st minute but it went down as an own goal from Nordi Mukiele. In truth, it was a toothless attacking performance from Liverpool and the Black Cats deserved their share of the spoils.
Defeat would have plunged Liverpool head coach Arne Slot under more pressure and while a stalemate is a decent result in isolation, it underlined the ongoing issues that have led to the Premier League champions’ title defence being over before Christmas.
Match report
The first half was largely mundane, with both sides limited to shots from long range for the majority. On 30 minutes, Wirtz burst into the Sunderland area but was denied by Sunderland goalkeeper Robn Roefs. A minute before the interval, Alexis Mac Allister went close to breaking the deadlock for Liverpool but he headed Joe Gomez’s cross against the post.
And despite introducing Mo Salah from the substitutes’ bench in the second period, Liverpool’s performance was equally listless. Roefs was a passenger in the Black Cats’ goal and the Reds were devoid of any ideas to break down the visitors’ low block. In the 61st minute, Sunderland fired a warning shot when Omar Alderete kissed the post with a header from a corner. Then six minutes later, the Mackems opened the scoring when Chemsdine Talbi’s shot deflected off Virgil van Dijk and found the far corner.
Liverpool knew they needed either something special or a bit of luck if they were to salvage anything from the game. With nine minutes remaining, their equaliser was a combination of both. Wirtz tricked his way into the box and got a shot off, which took a deflection off Mukiele and left Roefs helpless.
Yet Liverpool almost threw it away as they pursued victory. In the fourth minute of stoppage-time, Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor was left completely free and looked destined to score. However, Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker did enough to force Isidor to an acute angle and then Federico Chiesa made a heroic goalline block.
It was a moment that epitomised Liverpool’s spluttering campaign so far - and displayed all of the problems that Slot still has to rectify.
Made a couple of routine saves from Alderete in the first half before pushing Hume's effort onto the bar. No chance with Sunderland's goal but did enough to help put off Isidor.
1. Alisson Becker - 6
Made a couple of routine saves from Alderete in the first half before pushing Hume's effort onto the bar. No chance with Sunderland's goal but did enough to help put off Isidor. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Whipped in the cross for Mac Allister's chance but Liverpool did suffer from not having a natural attacking full-back in the first half. Booked in the second period for a rash tackle and subbed in the 65th minute.
2. Joe Gomez - 5
Whipped in the cross for Mac Allister's chance but Liverpool did suffer from not having a natural attacking full-back in the first half. Booked in the second period for a rash tackle and subbed in the 65th minute. | AFP via Getty Images
Had a good battle with Brian Bobbey in the first half and came out on top of most duels. Got away with an error in the second half.
3. Ibrahima Konate - 6
Had a good battle with Brian Bobbey in the first half and came out on top of most duels. Got away with an error in the second half. | Getty Images
Faultless in the first half as he cleared plenty of danger. But gave the ball away to give Talbi possession and backed off the shot.
4. Virgil van Dijk - 5
Faultless in the first half as he cleared plenty of danger. But gave the ball away to give Talbi possession and backed off the shot. | Getty Images