Matchday Musings: Sunderland Unlucky Not To Beat Liverpool

In any regular season, a trip to Liverpool would cause a shudder amongst Sunderland supporters, but this has been far from an ordinary campaign for the Black Cats.

After the forgettable 1-0 loss to Fulham, Regis Le Bris correctly reverted to a back four, which allowed our attacking players to get more involved against Bournemouth. Despite going two goals down, the Lads yet again showed belief and desire to produce one of the most spectacular results in recent memory.

While there may have been some temptation to stick to the same formation, we all knew that the gaffer would favour five at the back against the Premier League champions. Yes, they have been miserable of late, but they are a side brimming with quality and possess a rejuvenated Alexander Isak.

Le Bris’ rotation meant a return and a huge test for Trai Hume as well as a well-deserved start for Brian Brobbey, who has bagged two goals of vital importance.

As has been the case with many games this season, I felt relatively calm heading into this one. Against the bigger clubs in the division, we’ve produced our best performances. If we turned up against Arne Slot’s all-stars, then I fancied us to come away with at least a point.

Straight from kick-off, Sunderland showed intent and purpose going forward, with Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fee looking particularly menacing down the right-hand side.

When out of possession, Le Bris’ men got into their defensive shape quickly, with a five-man shield preventing Liverpool from creating anything threatening. It seemed that the champions would have to do something special to break down the Wearsiders’ resolute barrier.

On 23 minutes, Robin Roefs produced a moment of madness, kicking the ball straight to the opposition. With most of our players up the park, we were lucky that Florian Wirtz, the £116 million man, somehow shot wide of the post from close range. Perhaps the pressure of Dan Ballard was too much for the slight German international.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool targeted our right-hand side, maybe identifying Hume as the weaker link in our back five. Indeed, the home side found joy down that flank, with Coady Gakpo looking particularly dangerous. In fairness to Hume, I thought he did well, but was let down by those around him who needlessly gave the ball away.

Then, almost out of nowhere, two moments worth shouting about. First, Omar Alderete’s speculative bicycle kick looked picture-perfect in front of the television. But then, Hume delivered a rocket from long range, which appeared destined for the top corner, only for Alisson to tip it onto the bar.

As the match approached half-time, Sunderland would have felt unfortunate not to be going in ahead, but then a couple of substantial moments. The hosts came mighty close when Alexis McAllister’s header struck the post, but then Chemsdine Talbi tested Alisson, who could only tip over his own bar.

With no goals in the first half, the Black Cats could be proud of their play and the problems they caused the Merseysiders on their own turf. As they have shown time and time again this season, they feel comfortable mixing it with the big boys.

Inevitably, Slot turned to Mo Salah at the break, with Liverpool desperate to make something happen. However, I thought it was bizarre that Gakpo was the man to make way, as he looked threatening every time he picked up the ball on the left.

The Reds immediately looked more purposeful on the ball and delivered some difficult balls into the box, which our centre-backs dealt with well. However, we were pinned back and defending deeper than we had in the entirety of the first half. Although we weren’t hanging on, things felt a little more uncertain.

Then, a tremendous pinpoint pass found the marauding Reinildo down the left, who looked like Usain Bolt as he latched onto the ball ahead of Joe Gomez. The Liverpool defender could only bring down the Mozambique international, leading to an inevitable booking. However, Le Fee’s free-kick was woeful and drifted over Alisson’s bar.

While we had to withstand pressure, then came the Ibrahima Konate moment, letting in Brobbey, only for the bounce to fall unkindly. For a split second, it looked like some neat trickery from Talbi had him in on goal, but it didn’t quite fall for the Moroccan.

Sunderland then worked two excellent chances in succession. A drifting ball to the back post looked destined to find Brobbey, but for Konate to head behind. Then, a smartly worked free-kick found Alderete at the near post, with his header striking the upright. Would it be third time lucky for the Lads?

Le Bris’ first change on the hour saw Brobbey make way for Wilson Isidor, who was brought on to inject some pace in the forward line. It must be said that the big Dutchman played superbly, but the change was the right call.

Dare I say it had been coming? Talbi, who had been menacing all night, waltzed towards the penalty area, with Virgil van Dijk standing off him, giving him way too much room. The tricky winger then unleashed on the Liverpool goal, with the ball deflecting off van Dijk and past the helpless Alisson.

As the camera panned to the Sunderland end, there was my boyhood hero, Kevin Phillips, celebrating in sheer jubilation with the Black Cats faithful.

With Hume down with a head injury, all that could be heard was “Sunderland ‘til I die” from the away end. The Home fans silent. With Hugo Ekitike on, the Reds had all of their aces on the pitch, but they had yet to create any real danger.

Sunderland’s determination was epitomised by Reinildo, who put in a superbly timed sliding tackle on Dominik Szobozlai late on. Yes, he has had his silly moments, but what a signing he has been for this team.

There is always a danger of sitting back when you’re a goal to the good, but Sunderland have held out some close wins already this campaign. Le Bris subbed on Lutsharel Geertruida for Le Fee with 10 minutes to go, clearly hellbent on keeping a clean sheet and bolting the door shut.

Literally moments later, it had to be Wirtz. Just as my Old Man said, “Where is Wirtz?” the German showed some quick feet in the area to carve out a shot on goal, which snuck past Roefs and into the back of the net. Not that it mattered, but the goal was given as a Mukiele own goal.

One of the highlights of the encounter was seeing Luke O’Nien come on for his Premier League debut, although it must have been an incredibly nervy one for Mr Sunderland.

It must be said, we took a battering at the end of the game, but then came the moment to win the match. Roefs, who had been down with a head injury, picked out the most phenomenal pass I have ever seen to set through Isidor one-on-one with Alisson.

The forward glided towards the Brazilian and took it round him, but Federico Chiesa did brilliantly to stop the ball going into the net. We’ve seen Isidor score those types of chances time and time again, and I think he should have punished the home side.

So there it ended. Well, that was relentless. On reflection, a point at Anfield cannot be sniffed at, but the game was there for the taking when Isidor was through on goal. Of course, I am proud of the Lads yet again, and how could I be disappointed with the performance?

These are the times we have been waiting for as Sunderland fans, and it is an absolute joy to watch this team mix it with the best teams in Europe.