Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland: Reds drop points as Wirtz forces own goal to equalize

Out-of-sorts Liverpool needed a Nordi Mukiele own goal to rescue a fortunate 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Match Report

The Black Cats took the lead in the 67th minute when Chemsdine Talbi's effort deflected home via the backside of Virgil van Dijk.

But the Reds, who hit the post through Alexis Mac Allister in the first half, earned a share of the spoils when Nordi Mukiele lucklessly deflected Florian Wirtz's effort past Robin Roefs with nine minutes to play.

Sunderland had hit the woodwork twice themselves, first in a fine first-half performance when Trai Hume's long-range stinger was diverted onto the crossbar by Alisson, and then when Omar Alderete glanced Enzo Le Fee's corner onto the outside of the right post just before the hour.

However, Talbi let fly from 25 yards out soon after and found the bottom-left corner via Van Dijk's deflection.

The visitors' good luck turned to bad luck when Wirtz's wayward effort at the end of a mazy run hit the foot of Mukiele and skewed past a helpless Roefs.

Sunderland almost nicked it on the counter-attack deep into injury time but, though Wilson Isidor rounded Alisson, his effort was hacked off the line by Federico Chiesa.

Data Debrief: Mixed luck for Black Cats

Liverpool may have easily outperformed Sunderland in terms of shots (23 to nine) and efforts from inside the box (13 to four), but the Black Cats actually produced more attempts on target (six to four), and the issues Arne Slot's team are having at both ends of the pitch were on show for all to see.

Indeed, Liverpool's expected goals per shot was just 0.06 (1.46 xG total), while Sunderland averaged 0.04 xG per attempt.

Sunderland took the lead with what was just their fourth away from home in the Premier League this season, with only Wolves (one) netting fewer on the road. Ultimately, though, their luck was out with the first own goal they have conceded in the top flight since Jason Denayer against Southampton in February 2017.

Liverpool may still be badly out of sorts, but no team has scored more goals in the final 10 minutes of Premier League games than the Reds this season (nine, alongside Brighton).

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

9' Roefs denies Szoboszlai from distance!

18' Isak cuts inside and fires over

23' Liverpool win possession high up, Wirtz pokes shot saved

31' Szoboszlai crosses, Gakpo heads down into box but defender clears

32' Aldrete attempts overhead kick in box but Alisson saves comfortably

41' Robertson plays through-ball but Gravenberch fails to connect with the run

43' Szoboszlai sees dipping shot saved

44' Mac Allister header hits post and out

46' Liverpool make change: Salah comes on as sub

55' Yellow Card! Joe Gomez booked

61' Aldrete's near-post header hits the post and out

67' GOAL! Talbi's long-range shot deflects in off Van Dijk! Liverpool 0-1 Sunderland

72' Mac Allister fires long-range effort from distance but blazes over

74' Ekitike comes on for Mac Allister

78' Szoboszlai bursts down right, halted by Reinildo's tackle

82' Wirtz' first PL goal has been recorded as OWN GOAL... Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland

86' Liverpool make changes: Chiesa and Kierkegaard on for Isak, Robertson

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Konate, Isak, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Wirtz

Subs: Endo, Salah, Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitiké, Milos Kerkez, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha

Sunderland XI: Xhaka, Omar Alderete, Mandava, Mukiele, Enzo Le Fée, Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey, Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi

Subs: Traore, Luke O'Nien, Lutsharel Geertruida, Wilson Isidor, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Romaine Mundle, Simon Adingra, Eliezer Mayenda