Virgil van Dijk helped Liverpool return to Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday.
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk scored in the second half, resulting in Sunderland’s first home defeat in the Premier League this season.
advertise
Sixth-placed Liverpool’s second win in their past eight league games moves them two points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and three behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
Tuesday’s draw between Manchester United and Chelsea opened the door for Liverpool to revive their push into Europe’s elite club competition and they seized their chance to secure a gritty win on a rain-soaked Wearside.
Liverpool boss Arne Slott, speaking after last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City, admitted it had been the toughest season of his career “by a mile”.
Less than a year after guiding Liverpool to the English title, Slott faces growing speculation over his place.
advertise
He admitted it would be unacceptable if Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, admitting they need to be “nearly perfect” to secure a Champions League spot.
While it was far from a perfect performance, Slaughter’s side have done enough to keep themselves in the top five, which could potentially guarantee Champions League qualification.
Sunderland started the season with their only home unbeaten run in the Premier League, with leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City both forced into draws at the Stadium of Light.
Unlike Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool achieved success through hard work.
advertise
Florian Wirtz provided most of Liverpool’s most threatening moments.
Wirtz’s shot went narrowly wide before his long-range effort forced a fine save from Robin Roefs.
The Germany playmaker’s low shot sailed through Sunderland’s legs and flew closer to the far post.
Rovers blocked Wirtz’s shot again, using his body to block a header from close range.
On the stroke of half-time, Sunderland unsuccessfully sought a penalty after Ibrahima Konate brought down Brian Brobbey.
The Black Cats closed in through Trai Hume, who broke from 25 yards shortly after the break.
advertise
But Liverpool responded well, with Mohamed Salah’s shot blocked by Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava before Van Dijk scored in the 61st minute.
Van Dijk received Salah’s corner kick and powerfully headed the ball into the goal. Sunderland’s Habib Diarra headed the ball into the goal, but was unable to clear the ball.
With Connor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong injured and Dominic Szoboszlai suspended, Slott was forced to use Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo at right-back in his first league start of the season.
But as Liverpool’s injuries worsened, Endo was stretchered off the field in the second half.
Slott’s side coped well with the blow, pushing Sunderland to the brink and securing a valuable win.
mg/MW
