Virgil van Dijk celebrates giving Liverpool the lead at SunderlandGetty Images
At a glance
Liverpool become first team to win at Sunderland this season
Virgil van Dijk scores only goal of game with second-half header
Arne Slot's side still sixth but cut gap to fifth-placed Chelsea to two points
Sunderland are 11th - six points behind Liverpool
Aadam Patel
Football reporter, Stadium of Light
Liverpool put in an impressive away performance to become the first team to win at Sunderland in the Premier League this season.
Virgil van Dijk's second-half header secured all three points for the visitors, who dominated large parts of the match at the Stadium of Light.
The Liverpool captain nodded on a corner from Mohamed Salah just after the hour mark - and Sunderland's Habib Diarra, who was on the goalline, could only help the ball into the back of the net.
Liverpool were impressive in the first half and dominated the ball - with Arne Slot's side having 68% of the possession.
Having initially struggled to find a way through Sunderland's solid defence, it was Florian Wirtz who came closest to breaking the deadlock.
On the half-hour mark, the German's right-footed strike from outside the box was well saved by Robin Roefs who parried it out for a corner.
Minutes later, Wirtz struck the post with a left-footed effort from inside the area before having a header saved by Roefs.
Liverpool cranked up the pressure although Sunderland did well to ensure the match was still goalless at half-time. Regis Le Bris' side only had five touches in the visitors' box during in the first half.
The hosts improved after the break, with skipper Trai Hume firing over, but it was the visitors who took a deserved lead when Van Dijk scored his fourth goal of the season.
Liverpool held on for an important win, but their evening was slightly marred by a worrying injury to Wataru Endo, who was filling in at right-back because of Dominik Szoboszlai's suspension.
The Japan international made his first league start of the season and was defensively solid, winning the most duels (seven) of any player in the match before he fell awkwardly on his ankle shortly after Liverpool took the lead.
Endo was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Joe Gomez - who has only just returned from injury.
Victory for Liverpool - only their second in the league in 2026 - helped them cut the gap to fifth-placed Chelsea to two points, while Sunderland are 11th.
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What's next for both teams?
Sunderland travel to Oxford United in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday (14:00 GMT kick-off) while Liverpool host Brighton in the cup on Saturday (20:00).
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Starting XI
22R. Roefs
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17Reinildo Mandava
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15O. Alderete
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5D. Ballard
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20N. Mukiele
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28E. Le Fée
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27N. Sadiki
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10N. Angulo
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19H. Diarra
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32T. Hume
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9B. Brobbey
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6L. Geertruida
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18W. Isidor
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14R. Mundle
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7C. Talbi
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Starting XI
1Alisson Becker
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26A. Robertson
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4V. van Dijk
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5I. Konaté
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3W. Endo
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10A. Mac Allister
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38R. Gravenberch
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18C. Gakpo
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7F. Wirtz
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11Mohamed Salah
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22H. Ekitiké
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14F. Chiesa
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2J. Gomez
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17C. Jones
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Liverpool
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