Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Rafa Benitez brought a Liverpool squad hoping to be real title contenders this season.

Sunderland fielded a new look squad with Doiuf, Malbranque, Chimbonda and Tainio all in the starting line up.

The game start brightly as Sunderland sprayed the ball about the park with authority.

The first chance off the afternoon came when Diouf nearly capitalised on a Hypia mistake but a good challenge from Carragher prevented the new crowd favourite to get his shot away.

Sunderland didn`t have to wait for long for the second chance when Douif put a good cross over but Murphy failed to capitalise. Murphy`s header was directed straight at Reina.

With Sunderland dominating the fixture so far the third chance fell to Doiuf but his curled shot just a bit high to test Reina.

Liverpool finally get their first chance as they are awarded a free kick just outside the area Gerrard steps up to drive his shot straight into the wall.

Liverpool then created a half chance when Keane tee himself up with a lovely flick to volley a shot narrowly wide with his left foot.

After the break Sunderland came out the way they did in the first.

A good break away sees Richardson find Murphy of the left wing to put in a lovely cross but Doiuf scuffs the resulting shot.

Liverpool now getting back into the game create a half decent chance when Kuyt drives a shot from way out. Gordon saved well but parried for Torres to try again lucky Keane get in the way of the shot and the ball goes out for a kick.

Then total against the run of play Torres pops up with a moment of brilliance his pinpoint shot is driven into the bottom corner. Gordon had no chance but maybe he should have been closed down.

Sunderland tried to get back in the game but with the clock against them they went down 1 nil to Liverpool.


Sunderland Line Up
442

Gordon 8
Chimbonda 8
Nosworthy 7
Collins 8
Bardsley 7
Malbranque 9 (Edwards 4)
Reid 8
Tainio 8 (Whitehead 7)
Richardson 7
Murphy 6
Diouf 8 (Chopra 7)

Subs not used

Danny Higginbotham
Darren Ward
Grant Leadbitter
Anthony Stokes

Steed Malbranque - A magnificent performance from the ex Spurs player even if he did become a bit tired towards the end.
We managed to make Liverpool look very ordinary with a passing master class in the first half.

We deserved at least a draw after dominating for long periods.

Torres was the only real difference lets hope Keane can get us a decent striker to replace Murphy and soon.

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