Dutch defender climbs highest to settle tight contest as Black Cats taste first home defeat of the season
Virgil van Dijk rose through the rain at the Stadium of Light to deliver a precious winner for Liverpool, his second-half header condemning Sunderland to their first home defeat since returning to the Premier League.
The 1-0 victory was far from straightforward for Arne Slot’s side, who dominated for long spells but required their captain’s quality from a set-piece to finally break the Black Cats’ resistance.
Liverpool had threatened from the opening exchanges, with Florian Wirtz seeing a low drive crash back off the far post in the first half. The champions kept knocking, and the breakthrough finally arrived on 61 minutes when Mohamed Salah’s corner found Van Dijk, who powered his header past the helpless home goalkeeper.
Sunderland pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but found Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in unforgiving mood. Alisson was rarely troubled as Liverpool’s defensive pairing repelled everything thrown at them.
The result breathes fresh life into Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification. They remain sixth but are now just two points adrift of Chelsea in fifth and only three behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
For Sunderland, it’s a sobering end to a remarkable home record. Having gone unbeaten through their first 12 top-flight fixtures on Wearside this season, the run finally ends in their 13th. Régis Le Bris’s side slip to 11th, six points behind their conquerors.
Attention now turns to FA Cup duty. Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield on Saturday evening, while Sunderland travel to Oxford United 24 hours later.
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