Liverpool climbed back into the Champions League scrap with a rugged 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light, Virgil van Dijk the hero, Ibrahima Konate the monster in defence.
The Reds, still smarting from that late collapse against Man City on Sunday, showed their mettle on a filthy night on Wearside. Van Dijk powered home Mo Salah’s corner just past the hour, and Arne Slot’s men held firm against a Sunderland side boasting the league’s only unbeaten home record.
Here’s how they rated.
Alisson Becker: 7
Back to basics. No high wire act this time, just a clean sheet and commanding presence. Dealt with crosses, swept when needed, looked every inch Brazil’s No 1. Steady.
Wataru Endo: 6.5
Mr Reliable, even at right back. Stepped in for the suspended Szoboszlai and the injured Bradley and didn’t let anyone down. Calm, tidy, unfussy. Then took a shocking leg knock late on. Fingers crossed.
Ibrahima Konate: 8.5
Colossal. Absolutely colossal. Brian Brobbey barely had a sniff, Konate ate him up, spat him out and went back for seconds. Thundering tackles, crucial blocks, zero compromise. This is the Ibou we’ve been begging to see every week. More of this, please.
Virgil van Dijk: 8
Skipper’s knock. Didn’t have to break much sweat defensively thanks to his partner’s brilliance, but rose highest when it mattered to power home the winner. Vocal, commanding, ice cool. Three massive points.
Andy Robertson: 6.5
Solid without the old spark. The marauding runs are rarer now, the influence more measured. Defended diligently, worked his socks off, but the final third impact is fading.
Alexis Mac Allister: 7
A response. After a few quiet ones, Macca snapped into challenges, recycled possession quickly and looked sharper. Not spectacular, but exactly what the midfield needed.
Ryan Gravenberch: 6
Drifted. Not poor, not influential, just sort of… there. Didn’t impose himself going forward or snuff out much at the back. Needs more conviction.
Florian Wirtz: 8
The game’s class act. Every dangerous move flowed through those educated boots. Clipped the post with a gorgeous first time effort, twisted past markers for fun, looks full of belief now. Liverpool’s creative heartbeat.
Mohamed Salah: 7
Quiet by his standards. Didn’t terrify the left back, wasn’t his usual electric self but delivered the assist that won the game. Corner onto VVD’s head. Job done. Still, goals need to return soon.
Hugo Ekitike: 6
Frustrating night. Starved of service at times, but when the chance came, a free header six yards out, he planted it wide. Two games running he’s missed a big one. Needs to start converting.
Cody Gakpo: 6
Painfully predictable. Cuts inside, shapes to shoot, deflects off a defender. Went left once, still passed with his right. The threat has evaporated. A shadow of the man who started the season brightly.
SUBS:
Joe Gomez: 6
On for the crocked Endo. Did his job: defensive header from a dangerous cross, kept it simple. Fine.
Curtis Jones: 6.5
Lively cameo. Few neat flicks, one whipped effort just over. Deserves more minutes soon.
Federico Chiesa: N/A
Late mop up. Showed a couple of silky dribbles. Not enough time to rate.
The win hoists Liverpool back within touching distance of the top five. Sunderland’s unbeaten home streak? Gone. Slot’s men, battered and bruised, keep fighting. Next up: a wounded Everton in the derby.
