Just over 8 minutes in and Sunderland have begin well, passing the ball around nicely. Dominik Szoboszlai has the first attempt though, with a nice long shot from a central position out side the box but the keeper, Robin Roefs, catches it easily. After 23 minutes, Florian Wirtz believes he has broken the deadlock but the keeper knocks his effort and it falls wide of the left post after a good attacking move from the Reds.
Diogo Jota is celebrate dafter 20 minutes in the usual fashion and it would have been his 29th birthday tomorrow had he not been taken so tragically from us in the close season. Rest in Peace, Diogo.
Sunderland move forward and Trai Hume is very unlucky when he hits the bar. This isn’t the first time that a crossbar has denied him this season. Liverpool are lucky as Sunderland are certainly here for the fight.
Three minutes before half-time and again, a long range effort from Szoboszlai tests the Sunderland keeper. A few moments later and a nice ball comes in for Mac Allister who is just wide with his glancing header.
Liverpool defend a Sunderland corner and the half-time whistle goes. It’s sort of neck and neck really, nothing to separate the two sides. All to play for in the second half and Liverpool will be attacking the Kop end.
For the second half, Arne Slot has turned to his substitutes bench for reinforcements and Mohamed Salah takes to the pitch down the right wing in place of Cody Gakpo.
The LFC defenders are jostling in the box at 55 minutes, waiting for a Sunderland free kick to float in but it drifts well wide and over. Sunderland keep plying on the pressure and Liverpool are getting a roasting so far for the second half. A corner comes in and Omar Alderete nods it down and hits the outside of the Liverpool post. Well,, eventually, the possession and territorial advantage proves decisive for the Black Cats and a shady Virgil Van Dijk doesn’t close down Chemisdine Talbi and he sinks a 22 yard shot into the Liverpool goal to put the visiting side a goal ahead.
With 20 minutes left, Hugo Ektiké comes on for Alexis Mac Allister. Desperation and maybe he should have been on the pitch earlier…. who knows?
We are just giving Sunderland too much space in the midfield and time on the ball. What happened to our pressing? Last season we closed down opponents a lot more and were effective when we didn’t have the ball. Tonight they just seem content to sit back and watch Sunderland work it around. It is too easy for them. We are the home side and should be dominant and full of confidence. We did win last weekend, for what it is worth. We need to start to believe in ourselves and gee up for the fight ahead this season.
With ten minutes left Florian Wirtz demonstrates some LFC magic. Curtis Jones puts in the young German, Wirtz, who weaves around inside the box and deftly dabs it past the keeper into the Sunderland net., bringing the scores level, one apiece. It has taken a deflection, however as it does nip of a nut-megged defender and is registered as an own goal for Nordi Mukiele.
Liverpool are keeping the pressure on and going for the victory. Salah goes close from a corner, late on. He is unlucky as it is deflected. 7 minutes of injury time left in order to grab the winner.
Against the run of play, Sunderland get a super opportunity to win. It is thrust forward into the oath of Wilson Isidor via a long ball and he is left one on one without goalie. He manages to skirt around Alisson but he cannot hold his cool and Chiesa comes to the rescue to stop his weak shot from reaching the goal. Lucky, lucky Liverpool. Surely it is written in the stars for us to win the game now?
The game peters away into a draw. 1-1 at home to Sunderland. They maintain their advantage over us in the League. It isn’t the end of the world. At least we didn’t lose. There were a few hopeful signs and let’s face it, we are a work in progress this season. Let’s focus ahead of the next fixture on getting some camaraderie and unity in the changing room. The players need to play for each other and also the manager and the supporters. We are Liverpool and we will be back on top soon, very soon! #ynwa
Discover more from Wez G Official Website
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.