Sunderland looked the more dangerous side early as**Giorgi Mamardashvili** claimed an early cross. After the Reds settled into the game, however, they began to dominate. Boss Andoni **Iraola** used a 4-2-3-1 formation to high press the Black Cats. That paid off in a goal as **Harvey Elliott** found **Kieran Morrison** for a finish in the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
Sunderland pulled level on a wonder strike from well outside the box by Enzo Le Fée in the 28th minute just before the half-hour mark, and that was the score at the half.
**Score:** 1-1
* **Possession:** LIV 56 Sun 44
* **Shots:** 5-1
* **Key Battle**: Harvey Elliott vs. Alan Browne
The early impressions of the Reds have been mixed. They look good going forward but have not closed down Sunderland chances well. An injury to **Joe Gomez** is also concerning; we will see what the second half holds.