Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris admitted that his side were surprised by how much control they had against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Black Cats drew 1-1 with Arne Slot’s team to leave them sixth in the Premier League table, one point ahead of the Reds after 14 games.
Sunderland took the lead in the 67th minute through Chemsdine Talbi, and a first win at Anfield since 1983 looked to be on the cards, but the champions equalised inside the last 10 minutes after Florian Wirtz's effort struck Nordi Mukiele and found its way into the net.
Sunderland have only lost two of their last 12 English top-flight games, winning five of them, while they now have just one point fewer this season than across the entirety of their previous campaign in the competition in 2016-17, when they accrued 24 points.
They have also avoided defeat against the previous season’s top two in successive Premier League games for the first time since May 2014.
Le Bris praised Sunderland’s performance in a tough atmosphere, with the Black Cats almost winning the match through Wilson Isidor in stoppage time.
“I am not disappointed because it is a point away at Anfield. It is a privilege to play our football here,” said Le Bris after the draw.
Outstanding from start to finish pic.twitter.com/fmu2TlLb8X
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 3, 2025
“After a good first half, we spoke at half-time and said that it was possible to push a little more because we played well - we just needed the belief that we could score.
“We were maybe a bit surprised to have controlled the game so we told the players to believe and push more because it was possible to score.
“As expected, the opponent came back into the game with substitutes and the crowd but we defended well and had a chance to score the second goal after their equaliser but it wasn’t to be.
“We always try until the end but it wasn’t an easy situation for Wilson. It was a one-vs-one - he gave his best but it wasn’t enough.
“Our ability to learn is one of the main strengths of this team. They are humble and they want to learn. In such a difficult league, if you don’t learn every day then it is impossible to sustain the level.”
Sunderland face Manchester City on the weekend, with the Black Cats currently trailing Pep Guardiola’s side by five points ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium.