After an impressive victory over Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool started their year by dropping a couple of points on their trip to the Stadium of Light this week. Daniel Sturridge gave the Reds an early lead against the Black Cats, but Jermain Defoe converted from the spot after Ragnar Klavan bought Didier N’Dong down in the area helping Sunderland go into the break on level terms.
Sadio Mane then gave Liverpool the lead for the second time in the game after finding himself free a couple of yards from Mannone’s goal but he gave away a penalty at the other end, 6 minutes from the end to gift Sunderland a point from this game. It was a disappointing end to the game for the Reds and here are the player ratings for the side.
Simon Mignolet (6):
Was hardly tested on the night and could do nothing about the penalties on a rather easy night for the Belgian on goal.
Nathaniel Clyne (7):
Was lively all night covering both ends of the field and also came close a couple of times to opening up the Sunderland defense on an impressive night.
Dejan Lovren (6):
Gave Defoe no chance in the air and stuck to his task well of keeping Sunderland away from danger for most of the game.
Ragnar Klavan (5):
Sloppy on more than one occasion and gave away the penalty that got Sunderland back into the game on a forgettable night for the Estonian.
James Milner (5):
Had very little to do at the back and was not enough of a threat in attack and was replaced by Alberto Moreno at the break.
Emre Can (4):
Gave away the ball constantly in the midfield and was never assured in front of the defense, and was one of the major reason for Liverpool’s struggle on the night.
Georginio Wijnaldum (5):
Did well to control the midfield but was lethargic at times as he could not act as a link between the midfield and the attack against a disciplined Sunderland side.
Adam Lallana (5):
Started the game brightly but slowly faded, as he failed to have the kind of an impact in the midfield that Klopp would have wanted from him.
Sadio Mane (6):
Scored the goal to take Liverpool 2-1 up and was smart with his passing as he looked one of the biggest threats for Sunderland on the night. Gave away a penalty rather cheaply which was easily converted by Defoe.
Roberto Firmino (6):
The Brazilian tried hard to break the Black Cats down on the night but he was off-colour as he failed to find space or time on the ball, failing to help his side to a victory.
Daniel Sturridge (7):
Started a league game for Liverpool after a long time and gave them the lead under 20 minutes. Also created a couple of chances for his side and troubled the home side till he hobbled off the pitch in the last quarter of the game.
Subs:
Alberto Moreno (5):
Came on to replace Milner at half-time but failed to have any kind of a telling impact on the game at left-back.
Divock Origi (6):
Added some impetus in the attack in the final quarter of the game but could not find himself in goal scoring positions to try and get Liverpool a winner.
Lucas Leiva (6):
Stuck to his task well in the midfield as he kept Liverpool in the hunt in the dying stages of the game when the visitors pressed high up the field.