Liverpool held on for a valuable 1-0 win away to Sunderland on Wednesday night, with another worrying injury the only cloud on an otherwise positive victory.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League (26) | Stadium of Light
February 11, 2026
Goal
Van Dijk 61′ (assist: Salah)
Stats
Possession: 44%-56%
Shots: 11-23
Big Chances: 0-3
Corners: 3-11
Expected Goals: 0.66-1.95
Team News: Endo starts, Jones left out again
With Dominik Szoboszlai suspended, Arne Slot chose to switch both full-backs as his only two changes for a trip to the Stadium of Light.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's Wataru End? arrives before the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That saw Wataru Endo make his first Premier League start since May at right-back while Andy Robertson replaced Milos Kerkez at left-back.
Curtis Jones, meanwhile, made it five games in a row on the bench, having not started since the 1-1 draw with Burnley on January 17.
Wirtz flourishes in dominant but goalless half
Liverpool came up against an organised and intense Sunderland side, urged on by a home crowd who had not witnessed defeat in the Premier League all season.
They were therefore required to practice patience, working their way through tight spaces, through which Florian Wirtz almost benefited with a wicked deflection that trickled just wide of Robin Roefs’ post.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz reacts to his shot hitting the post during the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There was more conviction behind Wirtz’s next effort: a dipping strike from range which needed Roefs to tip it away from danger with an excellent save – Liverpool’s first shot on target, 30 minutes in.
Wirtz then went even closer with his third attempt, clipping it with the inside of his left foot through a sea of bodies and agonisingly against the post.
A barrage of corners – seven in the first half to go with their 14 shots – tested Roefs and his well-drilled defence, with Liverpool dominant throughout the opening 45 minutes but unable to find their breakthrough.
Half-time: Sunderland 0-0 Liverpool
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Set-pieces pay off and injury strikes again
The game was more open immediately after the restart with Sunderland enjoying more of the ball and winger Nilson Angulo causing problems for an out-of-position Endo.
Right-back Nordi Mukiele forced Alisson to cover his post with a low shot from outside the box, while a vital block from Reinildo denied Mohamed Salah from a cutback at the other end.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool scored from the resulting corner, their 10th of the game, and it was Virgil van Dijk who delivered the telling blow, nodding Salah’s delivery towards goal with Habib Diarra unable to keep it out on the line.
The injury curse struck again and Endo was forced off with 64 minutes on the clock, with Joe Gomez sent on for yet another change at right-back.
Anticipation grew inside the Stadium of Light in the closing stages but Liverpool pushed back against any Sunderland revival and earned a valuable three points after the weekend’s setback.
TIA Man of the Match: Florian Wirtz
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Match facts
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete (Geertruida 80′), Reinildo; Le Fee, Sadiki; Hume (Talbi 80′), Diarra (Isidor 90+2′), Angulo (Mundle 80′); Brobbey
Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, O’Nien, Rigg, Mayenda
Liverpool: Alisson; Endo (Gomez 69′), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo (Jones 75′); Ekitike (Chiesa 88′)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Kerkez, Ramsay, Nyoni, Morrison, Ngumoha
Next Match: Brighton (H) – FA Cup – Saturday, February 14, 8pm (GMT)