Liverpool managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield, thanks to a late equalizer from Florian Wirtz. The German midfielder’s deflected strike in the 81st minute, which was officially credited as an own goal by Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele, rescued a point for the home side and alleviated some pressure on head coach Arne Slot. This match marked the first time in Slot’s tenure that he had left Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup for consecutive league games.
Sunderland looked poised to earn a remarkable victory, which would have been their first at Anfield in 42 years. Chemsdine Talbi put the visitors ahead with a stunning long-range shot in the 67th minute, a goal that drew enthusiastic celebration from former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips, who joined the away fans in their jubilation.
Wirtz, who had shown promise in a previous match against West Ham, demonstrated his growing confidence as he navigated through Sunderland’s defense. This performance highlighted his potential as one of the major summer signings for Liverpool, part of an impressive £450 million outlay. Despite the pressure, Wirtz’s efforts brought Liverpool back into contention, proving he is adapting well to the pace of the Premier League.
In contrast, Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s British record signing, struggled to make an impact. The former Newcastle striker faced criticism after a first-half effort that failed to trouble the goal. Expectations were high for Isak to step into Salah’s shoes, especially given the Egyptian’s age and recent form. Salah, who came on as a substitute in the second half, did not significantly change the game, further complicating Slot’s decision-making as Salah prepares to leave for the African Cup of Nations.
Sunderland had the upper hand throughout the first half, with Liverpool focusing primarily on defensive stability. Trai Hume almost put Sunderland ahead earlier, with a shot that narrowly missed after slipping through the hands of goalkeeper Alisson Becker and hitting the crossbar. Liverpool’s first real test for Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, came just before halftime when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a powerful shot that was parried away, followed closely by a header from Alexis Mac Allister that struck the post.
The second half saw Salah enter with a point to prove. However, the absence of Szoboszlai’s support left Joe Gomez vulnerable, leading to a booking for a foul on Reinildo Mandava. Sunderland’s Omar Alderete nearly doubled their lead with a header that struck the outside of the post, putting Liverpool’s defense under further strain.
Liverpool’s defensive errors came to the forefront as Ibrahima Konaté failed to clear a header, allowing Virgil van Dijk to make a misplaced pass to Enzo Le Fé, who set up Talbi to score the opening goal. The home side’s struggles were evident, but Wirtz’s late intervention salvaged a point for Liverpool, ensuring they did not leave Anfield empty-handed.
As the match drew to a close, Liverpool nearly surrendered their hard-fought draw when Federico Chiesa cleared a shot off the line from a counter-attack led by Wilson Isidor. The match served as a reminder of the challenges facing Liverpool as they navigate their league campaign without the influence of their star player, Salah, for the upcoming international fixtures.
