Liverpool limped to a fortunate 1–1 draw at Anfield as Nordi Mukiele’s own goal spared Arne Slot from a damaging home defeat against a fearless Sunderland side who came within inches — twice — of ending a 42-year wait for victory on Merseyside.
Sunderland struck first through a stunning long-range effort from Chemsdine Talbi, and they threatened far more throughout an afternoon that exposed Liverpool’s flaws, shook their supporters, and prompted fierce criticism from club legends.
Florian Wirtz believed he had scored his maiden Premier League goal to haul Liverpool level, only for the effort to be officially awarded as an own-goal by Mukiele after the defender inadvertently diverted the strike over the line.
But that equaliser barely masked the truth: Sunderland were the better side, created clearer chances, and could — perhaps should — have stolen all three points at the death.
Anfield fell silent midway through the first half when Sunderland executed a brilliantly direct attack that exposed Liverpool’s defensive fragility. A long goal-kick was flicked on by Wilson Isidor, who outmuscled Ibrahima Konaté at the first contact. Virgil van Dijk stepped forward but miscontrolled, then conceded possession under pressure, before retreating awkwardly as Talbi advanced.
The Moroccan midfielder sensed uncertainty and unleashed a strike from distance that arrowed into the corner.
It was Sunderland’s reward for winning almost every 50/50, running harder, reacting quicker, showing the greater hunger.
Liverpool, meanwhile, looked lethargic, imbalanced, and confused in the final third — again.
Alexander Isak’s difficult start to life at Anfield reached a new low. Across 45 anonymous minutes, he registered zero shots on target, touched the ball in the box only twice (the same as Van Dijk), lost four duels out of four. For a £125m signing meant to redefine Liverpool’s attack, it was a performance that raised alarm bells.
Slot dropped Mohamed Salah from the starting XI for the second time in four days, but by half-time, panic crept in. Salah was immediately introduced and touched the ball more in his first 15 minutes than Isak had managed in the entire game.
Yet even he could not land a shot on target.
Liverpool finally roused themselves with 65 minutes played. A clever combination on the edge of the box allowed Florian Wirtz to drive a low effort toward the far corner.
The ball smashed off Mukiele, looped over goalkeeper Robin Roefs, and dropped over the line.
Initially celebrated as Wirtz’s first Premier League goal, it was later reclassified as an own goal — a harsh footnote to an otherwise decisive moment.
Still, Sunderland refused to buckle.
The visitors didn’t come to survive — they came to win. They struck the frame of the goal twice. Then, in stoppage time, they came agonisingly close to a dramatic winner. Goalkeeper Roefs launched a perfect counter-attacking ball to Wilson Isidor, who rounded Alisson with ice-cold composure. But just as he rolled the ball toward the yawning net, Federico Chiesa sprinted back to clear off the line — a miraculous intervention that spared Liverpool from humiliation.
Sunderland finished with six shots on target, compared to Liverpool’s four.
Liverpool have failed to win three straight games at Anfield for the first time since March 2021. They have conceded the opening goal in seven of their last nine league matches. Their defensive duels, intensity, and pressing numbers have collapsed.
Sunderland outran, outfought, and outworked the Reds everywhere.
Liverpool slip further behind in the title chase and look miles off the pace. Sunderland earn admiration — and nearly historic victory — with exceptional discipline and courage. The pressure builds on Slot as identity, intensity, and attacking clarity continue to dissolve.
Anfield used to be Liverpool’s fortress.
Right now, it is where their problems are most visible.
