Liverpool claimed a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light with Virgil van Dijk scoring the winning goal, but Arne Slot suffered another major injury blow
22:28, 11 Feb 2026Updated 22:31, 11 Feb 2026
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal of the game(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Sunderland's flawless home run came to an end as Liverpool secured a 1-0 triumph at the Stadium of Light. Arne Slot's squad were looking to recover from their setback against Manchester City which had knocked them out of the Champions League spots, and they reduced the deficit to the top four to three points on a night when City and Aston Villa also notched victories.
Captain Virgil van Dijk gave the away side the lead from a corner after an hour, diverting Mohamed Salah's cross onto Habib Diarra who turned the ball into his own net for the decisive strike.
However, the evening wasn't entirely positive for Liverpool, as Wataru Endo was carried off on a stretcher during the second period with what appears to be a significant injury. Here, the Daily Star Sport assesses the Liverpool squad....
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz of Liverpool is challenged by Nilson Angulo of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz was impressive again(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alisson - 6 A dependable display from the shot-stopper who faced minimal work throughout the match.
Wataru Endo - 6 Making his first start of the campaign in an improvised right-back position, Endo conceded a foul throw with his opening touch. His shortcomings in the attacking third clearly irked Arne Slot, with basic deliveries across the box reaching the keeper, but Endo is fundamentally not a full-back and his defensive qualities balanced out his failure to influence proceedings in attack. Collapsed in agony after sixty minutes and required substitution by Joe Gomez in a worrying injury blow.
Ibrahima Konate - 8 Produced a brilliant block to thwart Brian Brobbey early in proceedings and will be delighted to have neutralised the Dutch striker's menace.
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-LIVERPOOL
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Wataru Endo suffered a potentially serious injury(Image: Getty)
Virgil van Dijk - 8 When the moment arrived, so did the skipper. Liverpool's leader forced Diarra to turn the ball into his own goal from a set-piece. A shutout to complete what was a superb evening for Van Dijk.
Andy Robertson - 7 Selected for his experience in hostile environments and Liverpool appear a far more solid defensive unit with the Scotsman included.
Ryan Gravenberch - 6 Delivered some errant passes but improved as the game progressed after Sunderland managed to slice through the midfield effortlessly in the opening period.
Alexis Mac Allister - 6 Must contribute significantly more in the centre of the park. Curtis Jones absolutely has to be given the nod ahead of the Argentine.
Florian Wirtz - 8 Liverpool's most dangerous forward and struck the woodwork after thirty minutes following excellent build-up play from Cody Gakpo. Central to everything positive for the away side and he is truly finding his feet in the Premier League now.
Mohamed Salah - 5 Extremely subdued apart from several squandered opportunities that ought to have bulged the net. Once more. One begins to question whether Liverpool might fare better without him at present.
Hugo Ekitike - 6 Clearly exasperated with his teammates after numerous intelligent forward runs went unnoticed. Found it difficult to impose himself on proceedings.
Cody Gakpo - 7 Appeared menacing when taking on Nordi Mukiele, yet once more spent far too much time on the periphery of the action. His finishing was also disappointingly wayward.
Substitutes
Joe Gomez (68') - 7 A thoroughly impressive display from the substitutes' bench, and you'd anticipate he'll be required in the coming weeks, given the absence of Endo, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.
Curtis Jones (75') - 7 Blazed over the crossbar in the closing stages as his search for a goal persists. A thoroughly energetic contribution.
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Federico Chiesa (88') - N/A