Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: Late Fightback Gives Black Cats Improbable Point

Goals from Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe in the final ten minutes gave Sunderland an improbable point after Frimino and Lallana had given Liverpool a two goal lead.

Sunderland created the first chance of the game on 7 minutes after a quick break involving Khazri who back healed the ball into the path of Van Aanholt who’s left foot shot flashed wide.

Liverpool wasted a golden chance on 20 minutes when Kirchhoff lost the ball in a dangerous area allowing Lallana to play Moreno in on goal but Mannone made an excellent save to keep the scores level.

Liverpool dominated possession without being able to get through the Sunderland defence and were being limited to long range efforts. The closest of those efforts came from Firmino on 44 mins when his blistering effort narrowly went over. Shortly after Firmino’s chance Moreno had a header at the back post which looped onto the roof of the net.

Liverpool upped the pressure as halftime approached and were nearly handed a fortunate lead when Van Aanholt’s interception from a low cross nearly found his own net as it just flew over.

Liverpool started the second half the same way as they finished the first as they dominated possession in the early parts and Firmino unleashed another long range effort that went narrowly wide.

Sunderland had an opportunity on 56 minutes when Kirchhoff intercepted Mignolet’s throw out and he played the ball to Defoe but the striker dragged his shot wide.

Liverpool finally broke the deadlock on 59 minutes through Firmino. Milner’s cross found the striker at the back post who headed in after he wasn’t tracked by N’Doye.

Liverpool were turning the screw now and Mannone had to make two great saves in quick succession on 64 minutes to deny Lallana and Ibe.

Sunderland should have undoubtedly equalised on 67 minutes when Khazri played Van Aanholt in one on one but the Dutchman shot into the side netting when he could have squared it to Defoe for a tap in.

Liverpool made it two nil on 70 minutes after Billy Jones took all day about clearing the ball and he eventually lost it to Firmino who squared it for Lallana to tap in.

Sunderland found an equaliser on 82 minutes when Adam Johnson’s free kick found the bottom corner to give the Black Cats a glimmer of hope.

Sunderland were a completely different team now and they levelled the score through Jermain Defoe on 89 minutes. Khazri drove into the box before squaring it to Defoe who smashed the ball past Mignolet.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Moreno, Lovren (Toure 12’), Sakho, Henderson (Lucas 86’), Can, Allen (Ibe 45+2’), Lallana, Milner, Firmino.

Subs: Ward, Toure, Flanagan, Lucas, Ibe, Sturridge, Benteke.

Goals: Firmino (59’) Lallana (70’)

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Jones (Yedlin 75’), Van Aanholt, O’Shea ©, Kone, Kirchhoff (Johnson 66’), Cattermole, M’Vila, Khazri, Watmore (N’Doye 25’), Defoe.

Subs: Pickford, Brown, Yedlin, Rodwell, Johnson, Toivonen, N’Doye.

Goals: Johnson (82’) Defoe (89’)