AT THE MOMENT, every week seems to be defining one for Liverpool but after securing back-to-back Premier League wins over Stoke and Leicester, Brendan Rodgers’ side have another crucial couple of days ahead.
The do-or-die Champions League tie against Basel is on the horizon but first up is the visit of Sunderland to Anfield. The Reds remain five points adrift of the top four and can ill-afford to fall further behind as we enter the busy festive period.
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Is Liverpool’s mini-revival a false dawn or can Brendan Rodgers’ side continue their march up the standings? All the focus this week has been on their mercurial skipper Steven Gerrard and the uncertainty over his future but the 34-year-old provided a timely reminder of his enduring worth to the Reds with a talismanic display during the week against Leicester.
That win in the Midlands was Liverpool’s second in the space of four days after narrowly overcoming Stoke this day last week. Now, with Sunderland the visitors, they can move themselves within a couple of points of those coveted Champions League berths with a third straight Premier League win. The Black Cats will have other ideas, however.
The visitors, meanwhile, have had a mixed seven days. Gus Poyet’s side haven’t had it easy with fixtures against Chelsea, Man City and now a trip to Merseyside but having held the leaders to a goalless draw last weekend, the Black Cats put in an abject display against City.
They currently sit 14th in the table but just two points from safety and with the bottom half of the Premier League already congested, Poyet will be all too aware of the need to put as many points on the board as possible to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Steven Gerrard has been once again rested by Brendan Rodgers and must settle for a place on the bench. Full team news to follow…
So, what do you make of that Liverpool team? Two changes from that side that won midweek with Gerrard and Manquillo dropping out and Coutinho and Moreno coming in.
And your Sunderland team for this afternoon with John O’Shea once again skipper…
In the day’s early kick-off, Newcastle have taken the lead against leaders Chelsea through Papiss Cisse at St. James’ Park. Jose Mourinho’s side are unbeaten so far this season but that record is on the line with just 20 minutes remaining.
Having seen the teams, what are your predictions for this afternoon? Liverpool have won five and lost only one of their last nine Premier League meetings with today’s opponents while the Black Cats have won none of their last 15 league trips to Anfield.
With Steven Gerrard on the bench, the onus will be on Jordan Henderson and Philipe Coutinho to dictate proceedings in the engine room. Lucas will sit deep and protect what has been a vulnerable rearguard this season while Rickie Lambert will once again lead the line in the absence of Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli.
It’s all happening at St. James’ Park with Newcastle, who are now down to ten men after Steven Taylor’s dismissal, doubling their advantage through Cisse before Didier Drogba responded for the visitors immediately.
Sunderland haven’t won in four games but before Wednesday’s heavy defeat to Man City, they had drawn their three previous outings.
Just ten minutes until kick-off at Anfield. Here are the Liverpool players arriving a little earlier, all looking very serious and in the ‘right frame of mind’…
It appears Sunderland will be wearing their all blue away kit this afternoon. Speaking of sides playing in blue, Chelsea’s unbeaten start to this season has been ended by Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
The teams are gathering in the tunnel with Jordan Henderson – who is playing against his former employers – preparing to lead Liverpool out as captain. Just looking at each sides’ bench and there is plenty of quality available to Rodgers and Poyet should they require it. For Liverpool, Joe Allen and Emre Can are waiting in the wings as well as Steven Gerrard, obviously.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Steven Fletcher among the replacements.
Just a recap before we get underway. Liverpool have made two changes with Manquillo and Gerrard dropping out while the visitors have made four with Liam Bridcutt, Jordi Gomez, Adam Johnsonand Jozy Altidore coming in for Cattermole, Rodwell, Buckley and Fletcher.
Right from the off, Liverpool’s vulnerability at the back has been highlighted by a straight forward diagonal ball towards Connor Wickham. The striker, as he attempted to take the ball inside Martin Skrtel, went down under the challenge with the visiting fans and players asking the question of the referee. The official waves play on, however.
Looking back, it’s hard to tell if the Slovakian defender made contact with Wickham but why would the Sunderland man go down when he had a free shot on goal from 8 yards?
Things have just settled down now with Liverpool enjoying plenty of possession in midfield. It looks like Sunderland are content to sit in a rigid shape and try and hit their opponents on the break.
Sunderland have started positively and are throwing bodies forward in attack. With four blue shirts in the box, Seb Larsson’s delivery was over hit, however, as the ball trickles out for a throw-in on the far side.
Rodgers has spoken about the need to start games quickly at home but the Reds have been sloppy in the opening exchanges here. Philipe Coutinho is the latest player to give the ball away under no pressure, much to the annoyance of the home fans.
When Liverpool are in possession, the Black Cats are remaining compact and forcing the hosts to go wide. Coutinho is operating in the playmaker role but is finding space between the lines hard to come by with Liam Bridcutt protecting his back four.
Jordi Gomez has had the game’s first shot in anger with a right-footed effort that was always arrowing wide of the target. After that Sunderland attack, Jordan Henderson tried to rally his troops with a few words of inspiration.
Mamadou Sakho remains sidelined with a thigh injury but he’s supporting his team mates nonetheless.
The home fans are becoming increasingly frustrated as Sunderland’s possession increases to 62% in the opening quarter. The visitors have been extremely comfortable in possession and in defence with Liverpool yet to click into gear.
Much better from Liverpool. Sterling comes in-field with possession before opening the game up with a perfectly weighted ball out to Adam Lallana. The England international makes room to cross but his delivery his headed wide by Rickie Lambert, who did well to rise above John O’Shea.
Liverpool are beginning to take a stranglehold now. Coutinho goes on a mazy run down the left before cutting inside and attempting to catch Costel Pantilimon off-guard with a snapshot but the goalkeeper gets down well at his near post to make a comfortable save.
Now it’s Liverpool’s turn to feel aggrieved with Neil Swarbrick’s decision. Sterling played a delightful one-two with Henderson but was clearly blocked by Bridcutt but the referee waved away the appeals.
Incredible passage of play as Anthony Réveillère decides to let the ball roll out of play, not realising his team mate Bridcutt had clearly played it last. Fortunately for the defender, Liverpool don’t make anything of the resulting corner.
Throughout the opening half an hour, the only name on the Liverpool fans’ lips has been that of their fabled captain. In his absence, the hosts have slowly warmed to the task but Sunderland will be undoubtedly the happier of the two sides thus far.
Again, Connor Wickham goes to ground in the area but once more, his appeals fall on deaf ears. The striker, operating on the left flank this afternoon, embarked on a driving run into the box but was tagged all the way by Lucas and when he ran out of space decided to hit the deck.
Just seven minutes until the break and it remains goalless. There is a palpable air of tension around Anfield as Sunderland’s game plan is working to perfection so far. Meanwhile, Santiago Vergini has just been booked – the first of the match – for tugging on the shirt of Sterling as the winger was looking to launch a counter-attack.
With the right-back on a caution, that’s an avenue Liverpool should look to exploit after the interval.
Liverpool are enjoying a period of concerted pressure but they’re not going anywhere with it. Sunderland are sitting tight and withstanding whatever the Reds throw at them with significant ease.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for Sunderland. Wes Brown gets away from Kolo Toure but heads over the bar from six yards out. That was a let-off for the hosts.
And there goes the half-time whistle. Sunderland will be pleased with their first-half work but you can’t help feeling they should have taken the lead with the last kick off the opening period. Liverpool will have to up their game if they are to make it three Premier League games on the bounce.
We’re back underway at Anfield with neither manager making a change. Liverpool have started on the front foot and straight away force a corner after Coutinho’s shot was deflected behind. Sunderland deal with the set-piece comfortably.
If you missed any of the action from the early kick-off, Chelsea were beaten for the first time this season while Arsenal are currently 3-0 down at Stoke. Here are the latest scores…
- Hull 0-0 West Brom
- QPR 0-0 Burnley
- Stoke 3-0 Arsenal
- Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
Sunderland are defending in numbers, making it difficult for Liverpool to pick the lock. The hosts have, however, make a bright start to this second-half and look far livelier than they did before the interval.
For the first time this half, Liverpool’s defence have been put under a bit of pressure. From a free-kick, John O’Shea heads goal wards and with Altidore ready to pounce, Skrtel intervenes. From the resulting corner, the ball drops to Connor Wickham at the back post but his sweetly struck volley goes agonosingly wide of the upright.
Raheem Sterling has been marshaled well by Sunderland thus far but on the few occasions he’s found a pocket of space, the winger has looked dangerous.
Wickham is getting closer. Again, a cross makes its way to the striker and after Glen Johnson stood off, Wickham fired in a low effort but a slight deflection took it into the side netting. Liverpool manage to deal with the resulting set-piece but Sunderland are looking the more likely at the moment.
Sunderland have the bit between their teeth now. Another cross towards the back post has Johnson backpedaling but he does well to clear the danger under pressure from Wickham. No sign of Gerrard warming up just yet, perhaps he’s finding the Anfield bench rather comfortable.
That was cynical from Liam Bridcutt. After Sunderland gifted Sterling possession on the halfway line, the speedy winger was taken out by Bridcutt just outside the area. Unsurprisingly, the referee brandished a yellow card but Henderson skies the free-kick high and wide.
We have a shot on target! More good work from Sterling creates the opening for Lucas to put his laces through the ball but his effort is straight at Pantilimon, who makes a comfortable save. Moments later, Coutinho drops the shoulder to cut inside but his dipping effort goes just over the bar.
The noise levels inside Anfield rise as Steven Gerrard takes off his tracksuit and is preparing to come on.
Adam Lallana is the man to make way as the Kop rise in unison to welcome their talismanic captain. He seems to be slotting in just behind Rickie Lambert.
Time for Sunderland to make a couple of changes. Lee Cattermole is introduced by Gus Poyet to add some steel to the midfield while Altidore is replaced by Alvarez.
It was a good day’s work for Altidore who put in a good shift but his barren run on front of goal in the Premier League goes on.
Steven Gerrard has made an instant impression. First, he whips in a free-kick from the left which causes a bit of trouble for the Sunderland ‘keeper before a trademark pass instigates an attack which sees Bridcutt making a flying block to deny Coutinho.
Sunderland are firmly on the back foot now with the Kop urging their side on with just 15 minutes remaining. The Black Cats are, however, capable of pouncing on the counterattack but on this occasion, Cattermole’s pass evades Wickham.
Lazar Markovic is about to be introduced by Brendan Rodgers as he gambles and looks for a much-needed winner.
Incredible run from Sterling! He picks up possession deep inside his own half and weaves his way through numerous Sunderland challenges before slipping in Coutinho but the Brazilian, once again, fires straight at the goalkeeper. It is his last involvement as he is the one to make way for Markovic.
The decibel levels have increased in the last few minutes as Liverpool continue to probe for a winner. Minutes after coming on for Johnson, Will Buckley is booked for tugging back Sterling but Gerrard’s delivery is straight into the grateful arms of Pantilimon.
At the other end, Simon Mingolet is forced into action by a stinging Gomez effort from range. The Belgian goalkeeper did well to move his feet and make the save but it was one you would expect him to make.
Sterling goes down under the challenge of Wes Brown but for the third time this afternoon, Neil Swarbrick feels there was nothing in it. To be fair to the official, he’s got all the big decisions spot-on with replays suggesting Sterling went down too easily.
Raheem Sterling is causing chaos in the Sunderland area. This time he tees-up Jordan Henderson but the former Sunderland man fires high and wide. The visitors are holding on slightly here.
So close! Sterling’s cross is headed back across goal by Lambert and after Markovic’s tame effort was blocked, it very nearly fell to Gerrard to fire home but a Sunderland body got in the way.
Gerrard and Liverpool are pushing for another late, late winner.
There will be three minutes added time. Can Liverpool break down this Sunderland rearguard?
The hosts are incensed after the referee awarded a goal kick when it looked like Moreno’s cross had flicked a blue shirt on its way out. Time is running out.
Full-time! Sunderland withstand the late pressure and hold out for a hard-earned point.
Sunderland have now drawn with Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton in the last few weeks and it was another resolute performance by Gus Poyet’s side. There were rigid in defence while also offering plenty going forward and could, and probably should, have come away with more than a point but spurned a couple of chances.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will reflect on another sub-standard performance. It was only when Steven Gerrard was introduced with less than half an hour remaining did the hosts come to life and start to pose Sunderland any problems.
Raheem Sterling was, however, superb throughout but none of his team mates were on the same wave length. The Reds remain on 21 points but this is a missed opportunity to close the gap on United, who don’t play until Monday.
That’s all for our live football coverage this afternoon but you can catch-up on all of the Premier League action on TheScore.ie throughout the evening with Manchester City against Everton to come at 5.30pm.
You can follow all of Munster’s heavyweight clash with Clermont at Thomond Park with Will Slattery here.
Gaa players seem a bit sensitive lol
It is a silly article, these people are given a page on a Sunday paper to write about whatever topic they choose. GAA players are amateurs, there is no comparison to be made. The mind boggles.
I think that gaa players are being told and starting to believe that they could go and play in the premier league or the championship and perform for a 32 game league and cut it when as amateurs they clearly couldn’t.thats what hunt is pointing out really.hes just saying how important rest is in between training and matches
I’d be much more GAA than soccer but if he said most GAA players wouldn’t have the talent to make it in the premiership I’d have to agree.
PL clubs have the money to buy the best in the world and it is highly unlike we’d have a load of guys crack it from our tiny country if the GAA lads tried their hand at it. I can accept that no problem.
The problem I’d have with his comments is that a man who never came across as the sharpest knife in the drawer is trying to make out that GAA lads are not his equal mentally!
I’d never have thought Hunty was the sharpest tool in the box either, but his Sindo articles reveal the opposite. They are fast becoming my first-read article in the sports pages. His insights into Trap’s attitudes, why the players appreciate Glenn Whelan etc are usually very interesting. I think Hunt was clearly irked by Joe Brolly but was foolish to respond with a sweeping statement about GAA players. However, I did like the comment about role models. Football is so high profile now and over-exposed in the media that some idiot diving will get ten times the publicity of Laurent Koscielny giving 600k to a factory in his home town to save it from closure. A kid who escapes a sink estate and a life in gangs because he worked hard at his talent and became a footballer is every bit as inspiring as a an educated GAA or rugby man being well behaved on the pitch. I also think Hunt was trying to say that despite the headlines of the likes of Ched Evans the vast majority are very professional and look after themselves well, at the expense of a fun lifestyle. I suspect there’s some truth in that.
The level of ignorance regarding fitness and conditioning of professional players versus amateurs is astounding here. Simply no comparison so stop kidding yourselves with it. It’s just embarrassing and showing the bias in some GAA parts to anything outside parochial part time amateur games. He’s right whether ye like it or not. Get informed and speak to a pro if you know any…..
The way I read it, I thought he was actually complimenting GAA players with a sarcastic jibe about the mundane life of the soccer players. I reckon he knows well the hard commitment of the GAA stars, who possibly don’t do sarcasm too often.
Or maybe I’m wrong and he’s really just stirring it up.
Of course they are sensitive,they know they are working as hard as any pro footballer,but they are being used and abused for their stupidity and loyalty,who cares anyway,its a mickey mouse game ,,outside of the parish no one knows them or cares about them or their sport !!!!we dont remember the hurling or football finals of 88 90 94 02,but we do remember the irish soccer teams performances on the international stage in those years!!!ps Brolly needs a slap!
That is a daft comment there are loads of people up and down the country who could probably recall every All -Ireland final for the last 20 years. I’m from Tipp and I remember every hurling final Tipp have played in since I was born, and could probably name you the starting lineup and give you a small bio for each player. I also remember ‘having a macedonia’, Euro ’12 and this gem from last week….. https://vine.co/v/O1d6DQeDwvq. (actually a soccer fan,but it’s getting harder by the day). I hate to be agreeing with Joe Brolly on his high horse, but in general soccer players are not role models (the Irish players are much better than most) or at least you hope kids are not looking up to the likes Yaya Toure, Ryan Giggs, Mario Ballotelli, Ched Evans, John Terry, Luis Suarez…. even golden boy multi – millionaire Lionel Messi is dodging his taxes…..
soccer players are good role models for kids tho? you could pick out a handfull of GAA players and put them in the same spot as you just put the soccer players in with a bad reputation.
loads of GAA HEADS
soccer players are more under pressure to get a result every week,essentially the fans paying in are paying your wages, it’s mental pressure on top of soccer players covering a lot more ground on the field as well,gaa players at inter county level play 5 or 6 games to get to an all ireland final and they play maybe another 5 or 6 serious games with their clubs and then you have league games which if you go to they just stroll around the place,hunt is right in what he’s saying,gaa players wouldn’t last a full season playing soccer and if they tried I think would you see a lot of pulled muscles and injuries with the gaa boys,that’s what he means about rest
Seen one fella saying we would see a lot of pulled muscles etc if GAA players were in the premier league, am i the only person who think a soccer player wouldnt last 5 minutes on a gaelic pitch before needing to be carried off? Wouldnt give them more than 30 seconds on a hurling pitch either
His argument about commitment highlights just how out of touch these millionaire soccer players have gotten, many top level GAA players would probably do a similar level of training before and after work, spend their intercounty ‘off season playing for their club/schools/university teams’ as well as helping out with some coaching…
Ah this is just to funny good man Stephen Hunt all the gaa heads fierce sensitive
Irelands fittest sportmen,
Gaa v Hurling v Soccer v Rugby v Golf!!!
Imagine Padraig Harrington vs Paul O’Connell in a wrestling match!
Well firstly there are exceptions in every code and it really depends on the kind of fitness your talking about. I mean professional rugby players would put most to shame in the gym to be fair, but in terms of endurance you would be hard pushed to see past Gaelic footballers as in it’s current give and go handpassing guise the level of hard running required is pretty extreme. I’m sure McIlroy is pretty fit, but any sport where John Daly or Miguel Jimenez can succeed can hardly lay any major claims. Hurling still (thankfully) places more emphasis on the technical aspects of the games. Soccer obviously has a high level of cardio fitness but obliviously has a problem with core strength the way they keep falling over…. https://vine.co/v/O1d6DQeDwvq
Or Shane Lowry against Keith earls in a sprint
Now thats a competition I would love to see, get someone like J.P. McManus to put forward a prize fund (100,000 should attract the soccer lads!) and have a competition based on several aspects of fitness…finish off with the winner having a battle to the death against Hunt!!
Is everyone missing the point here. Soccer players get paid thousands of pounds per week, it is not comparable!!!!
Wasn’t the greatest article but he hardly said anything too bad about GAA players, who have once again proven themselves to be some of the most precious bunch of sweethearts the sporting world has ever seen.
Stephen Hunt is a footballer???
how he made a living out been a footballer is a mystery league 2 was always his level