Here's how the players rated:
6 Roefs: Far busier than he’s been in most games this season. Made a number of good saves but will be disappointed after being caught in no man's land for goal.
7 Mukiele: Did a good job on Gakpo and was a threat when he was able to get forward.
6 Ballard: Tough night against the impressive Ekitike. Did pretty well. Will be frustrated Sunderland conceded from a set-piece.
6 Alderete: Made a couple of crucial first half interceptions. Solid enough against good attack.
7 Reinildo: Kept Salah under wraps and remained disciplined after first half yellow card.
6 Hume: Couple of crunching tackles and one effort from outside the area but struggled to trouble Robertson.
5 Sadiki: Wasn’t really able to play his usual game in the absence of Xhaka and with Wirtz so dangerous as Liverpool No.10.
5 Diarra: Liverpool dominated the midfield and Diarra wasn’t able to influence the game.
5 Le Fee: Spent most of the game chasing Liverpool. Didn’t see as much of the ball as Sunderland would have hoped and couldn’t make a mark on the game.
6 Angulo: Some bright and encouraging flashes on his first Sunderland start. Will only get better.
6 Brobbey: Enthralling and physical ding-dong with Konate but starved of service and support.
SUBSTITUTES:
Talbi (for Hume, 79): N/A
Mundle (for Angulo, 79): N/A
Geertruida (for Alderete, 79): N/A
Isidor (for Diarra, 90+2): N/A
SUBS NOT USED: Ellborg, Cirkin, O'Nien, Rigg, Mayenda,
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 6; Endo 7 (Gomez, 65), Konate 7, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7; Gravenberch 8, Mac Allister 7; Salah 7, Wirtz 8, Gakpo 6 (Jones, 75), Ekitike 7 (Chiesa, 88)
SUBS NOT USED: Mamardashvili, Kerkez, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Morrison.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wirtz. Liverpool’s most dangerous player throughout.