Liverpool were held to a disappointing 1–1 draw at home to Sunderland on Wednesday, extending a troublesome run of form that has left the champions struggling for consistency.
Sunderland stunned the home crowd in the 67th minute when Chemsdine Talbi drilled in a long-range effort that took a deflection off Virgil van Dijk before beating goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The strike marked the first time Sunderland have opened the scoring at Anfield in decades.
Liverpool pressed for an equaliser and finally got it in the 81st minute — though under controversial circumstances. Florian Wirtz weaved through the Sunderland defence and struck on goal; the ball deflected off defender Nordi Mukiele and into the net, with the goal officially awarded as an own goal.
Despite dominating possession and generating several chances — especially after halftime — Liverpool were unable to force a winner, as Sunderland’s defence and last-ditch goal-line clearance by Federico Chiesa denied a dramatic late defeat.
After the draw, manager Arne Slot admitted the performance was far from ideal, acknowledging persistent issues in attack and a troubling inability to capitalise when trailing.
The result leaves Liverpool in eighth place in the Premier League standings with 22 points from 14 games, while Sunderland sit just one place above them, continuing their surprisingly solid start to the season.
