Liverpool dug in to pick up a brilliant three points and end Sunderland’s unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
After a tricky start, the Reds asserted themselves and finally broke the deadlock with a Virgil van Dijk header on the hour mark.
From there, Liverpool showed resilience to thwart a tired-looking Sunderland to move back in contention for the top four places. Here’s how we rated the players on an excellent evening in the North East for Arne Slot’s team.
Who was Liverpool’s best player in the excellent win over Sunderland, and why?
What a win!
Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Defence
Alisson Becker: 5 – Looked like he may be troubled by the conditions early on but soon settled down.
Wataru Endo: 7 – Surprisingly picked at right-back ahead of Curtis Jones for his first Premier League start since May but stood firm in typical fashion. Bit into some early tackles and was committed as ever throughout. Sadly stretchered off with what looks like a serious ankle problem.
Ibrahima Konate: 9 (Man of the Match) – Had his hands full with Brian Brobbey but denied him early on with a brilliant block inside the six yard box. More than matched the Dutchman for physicality throughout and looks so much sharper than the early part of the season. Back to something approaching his best and
Virgil van Dijk: 7 – Not as targeted by Brobbey as Konate but still handled what came his way well. Was a threat in attack which ultimately culminated in a glancing header finding the net. Could have done better with a glanced back header and a left-footed shot inside the penalty area but finally got his reward.
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Andy Robertson: 6 – Looked like he’d never been away. Solid defensively and a couple of first-half balls into the box should have been rewarded with better from the forwards.
READ MORE: Liverpool fans appreciate the sharp Salah and Wirtz partnership against Sunderland
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch: 4 – Has been a problem for Liverpool recently and continued his lethargy. Too weak in possession and allowed Nilson Angulo to pick up dangerous positions behind him too easily.
Alexis Mac Allister: 5 – Like Gravenberch, Mac Allister has been a real issue in the Liverpool midfield. Picked the wrong choice too many times in possession once again. Almost laid Sunderland in with a sloppy ball to Robertson in the second-half but did have some good, battling moments as well.
Florian Wirtz: 8 – Liverpool’s brightest spark early on, also notable for his tracking back, winning the ball back brilliantly twice in deep positions. Hit the post with a lovely snapshot and showed off a consistently excellent touch. Was let down a couple of times by teammates and faded as the game went on.
What a three points! What does this mean for the Reds’ top four hopes?
Liverpool score against Sunderland
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Attack
Mohamed Salah: 4 – Salah just does not look right at the moment at that continued on Wednesday as he failed to pose any real threat. Should have done much better with an effort which fell nicely onto his left foot inside the area, but lofted the shot straight into the defender. Worked hard but needs to offer more.
Hugo Ekitike: 4 – Struggled to get into the game against Man City on Sunday and this was more of the same from the Frenchman. Made some poor decisions when in good positions, including a mishit through ball which should have found Salah. For the second game running also missed a header which he really should have scored from.
Cody Gakpo: 5 – Gakpo is often derided for being something of a one-trick pony in cutting in onto his right foot, but he mixed it up by hugging the touchline more on Wednesday and looked better for it. Still caused more issues than he solved, with Ekitike visibly frustrated by him on more than one occasion.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones: 5 – Looked tidy in possession as always but is far too slow to use the ball. Should have hit the target with curled effort which went over.
Joe Gomez: 6 – On for the injured Endo and immediately provided solidity to a depleted back line. Brilliant to have him back.
Federico Chiesa: N/A
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