Liverpool managed to leave Sunderland unscathed on Wednesday night thanks to some superb performances at the back.
It was a more exciting game than the 1-0 scoreline suggests. The Reds could have scored more, but so could their opposition if not for some staunch defending.
Ibrahima Konate was Liverpool’s best player against Sunderland, though his partner Virgil van Dijk was the match-winner and eventual Player of the Match.
Change my mind: Liverpool would be CRAZY to let Konate leave 😣
He is back to his best!
Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
Spearing was quite pleased with what he saw from the pair, and the experienced heads either side of them.
Jay Spearing commends each member of Liverpool’s back four
After a 16-year playing career at Anfield, Spearing is still heavily involved at his boyhood club.
He coaches in the academy and appears regularly on the official Liverpool Podcast to analyse all the games.
He was particularly struck by the displays put on by the defenders at the Stadium of Light.
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He said: ““Yeah, and I think you have to look at it, you know, Virgil and, for me, Konate were outstanding. I felt Wataru [Endo] was outstanding before, obviously, the injury. Hopefully, that’s not too bad.
“Robertson came in and was outstanding. But that’s your back four and your goalkeeper.”
Liverpool players celebrate goal against Sunderland
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Endo’s serious injury put a dampener on the night, but he was superb while on the pitch. Further up the pitch, Spearing has two more names to single out, and it’s the usual suspects.
He concludes: “But for me, I felt that, like, from the front line, I thought Ekitike came and ran his socks off, Wirtz ran back and won a lot of balls.”
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike impressed again, and although the Frenchman’s night was largely quiet, he didn’t slack off out of possession.
Liverpool’s back line against Brighton
We’re getting back into the action fairly quickly with Brighton coming to Anfield for a Saturday night FA Cup clash.
With Endo surely out again, it’s back to the drawing board for Arne Slot at right-back. Milos Kerkez will come in for Robertson, you would imagine, and I’d wager Joe Gomez will join him if he’s fit.
Debate: Wataru Endo will leave a bigger legacy at Liverpool than Javier Mascherano
The Japanese may have played his last game for the Reds 😥
Liverpool's Wataru Endo pictured during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media).
Javier Mascherano sits on the pitch during Liverpool's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP
Credit: Photo Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media/Glyn Kirk/AFP
Gomez was training on Tuesday and came on against Sunderland, so that should be okay.
It leaves Calvin Ramsay out in the cold again, though Slot’s comments on Ramsay don’t give any suggestion of that changing.
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