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A Rees Greenwood-inspired Sunderland collected all three points at the Deva Stadium in Chester today, with the win taking Sunderland back to the top of the league following Manchester United's loss against rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
Greenwood was a constant thorn in the side of Liverpool, who named a number of players with first team experience in their team, including Belgium international forward Divock Origi.
The first half was a fairly uninspiring affair, with only George Honeyman and Liam Agnew going close to scoring.
Sunderland's first goal of the afternoon came on the fifty-third minute, when a ball from Liam Agnew to Greenwood set the winger away. Having beat his man he fired a cross into the Liverpool box, which deflected into the path of Frenchman Mikael Mandron, who made no mistake as he steered his header past Wales Under 21's international goalkeeper Danny Ward and into the net.
Minutes later, Greenwood was at it again. He managed to turn on a sixpence and curl a beautiful effort into the top corner of Ward's goal but it was unfortunately ruled out for offside.
It didn't take long for Greenwood to hurt Liverpool again, though, as on the sixty-eighth minute he beat his man and placed the ball on a plate for Carl Lawson, who finished well to make it 2-0.
Despite the experience in the Liverpool side - and despite the home advantage - Irish international James Talbot was rarely troubled in the Sunderland goal and the high-pressing from Andy Welsh's side meant that Divock Origi's impact on the game was virtually nonexistent.
It was another fantastic win for the Sunderland under twenty-one's and, with the side going back top of the league, it puts Welsh's men back in pole position to win the Premier League title with just six games left to play.
The team play next at home against Leicester City at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground next monday (the 29th) in a seven o'clock kick off. Season card owners can enter the game for free upon presentation of their card.
Ratings
Talbot - 6, E Robson - 7, Brady - 7, Beadling - 7, J Robson - 7, L Agnew - 8, M Smith - 6, Greenwood - 9, Honeyman - 7, Lawson - 7, Mandron - 7.
Man Of The Match - Rees Greenwood
The tricky winger bagged another two assists following the two he got last week against Middlesbrough and has been showing recently just why Sam Allardyce opted to give him a longer-term contract only a few months ago.
Although he's very slight, Greenwood appears to have the technique and ability to create goals and fingers crossed he can go on to have many more performances like he had today against Liverpool.
