Virgil van Dijk fires Liverpool to Sunderland win but injury curse continues

Virgil van Dijk fires Liverpool to Sunderland win but injury curse continues - 5 talking points

SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL: Virgil van Dijk's second-half header was enough to give Liverpool an impressive three points on a wet and windy night at the Stadium of Light

Liverpool boosted their Champions League hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Sunderland. Virgil van Dijk scored the only goal of the game, as the Black Cats were left to lick their wounds after losing their first home game of the season.

Arne Slot's side dominated the first half but had nothing to show for it. Florian Wirtz came closest but the Liverpool star's well-worked effort hit the post, much to the relief of the busy Robin Roefs.

The second period started with more of the same before Van Dijk's header changed the dynamic. Sunderland went through the gears and put the Reds under pressure in the closing stages, but Regis Le Bris' team weren't able to snatch a late equaliser to increase their own chances of qualifying for European.

Here are five talking points from the Stadium of Light.

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1. Needs must for Slot

Although they splurged £449million in the summer, Liverpool are light on numbers. The Reds' lack of depth in defence has cost them throughout the season and with makeshift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai suspended for THAT red card, Slot needed to call on someone from the fringes.

In came Wataru Endo, a midfielder by trade, for his only his second Premier League start in two seasons and first this term. Joe Gomez was fit enough for the bench while natural right-back Calvin Ramsay was an option, but Slot chose Endo to plug the most gaping gap in his line-up.

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2. Wirtz finding his Flo

Wirtz copped plenty of criticism in the months following his £116million transfer. In an era defined by statistics, you didn't need to go far to find a fan or pundit comparing his underwhelming numbers at Liverpool to his prolific Bayer Leverkusen career.

Recently, though, Wirtz looks a lot more settled, especially playing off Hugo Ekitike. The German was Liverpool's bright spark as they dominated the opening 45 minutes here.

Wirtz showed neat footwork to fire off a shot which agonisingly hit the post. That was one of Liverpool's 14 attempts on Sunderland's goal before the break, although just two of them were on target and were dealt with by Roefs.

3. Liverpool's improved set pieces

One of the reasons for Liverpool's woes this season has been their poor record at set pieces. Heading into this round of matches, only Wolves had scored fewer goals from dead balls than the Reds.

But after Szoboszlai's free-kick against Manchester City and Van Dijk's header at the Stadium of Light, things are improving. Mo Salah's corners was a threat all game, with Roefs having to punch clear on multiple occasions.

In the 61st minute, however, the Dutchman couldn't intervene and was punished by his compatriot. Van Dijk rose highest to meet Salah's delivery and his header found the net via a deflect off the head of Habib Diarra.

4. Endo's injury continues right-back curse

It was a good response from Sunderland after going behind. The Black Cats immediately started chasing the game and went in search of an equaliser as the crowd roared them on.

Although Liverpool staved off the threat, it was came at cost through Endo. The Japan international caught his ankle in the turf while clearing the ball and despite soldiering on for the resulting corner, he looked in agony and was stretchered off in place of Gomez.

5. Sunderland's fortress breached

With only six to go, Sunderland have finally lost a home match in the Premier League. The Stadium of Light has denied the likes of Arsenal and Man City this season but Liverpool did what they couldn't.

Thanks to Newcastle's win on Tuesday, Regis Le Bris' side have been bumped down to 11th place. A top-half finish will be their target for the remainder of the campaign.

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