Liverpool slumped to their third consecutive defeat in the Premier League as a weakened Sunderland triumphed at the Stadium of Light 1-0.
Starved of arguably their two key players, Stéphane Sessègnon and Lee Cattermole, the Reds expensively assembled side managed to test Sunderland’s goalkeeper Simon Mignolet only once – with one shot on target.
Not for the first time this season, Craig Bellamy was Liverpool’s most likely player but his impressive approach play and creativity from his wide position was wasted by his less inventive team mates.
It was a severely lacklustre performance in the final third, with Suarez again isolated whilst Andy Carroll languished on the bench, leaving Sunderland’s defenders (barring Phil Bardsley who had a testing afternoon against our Welshman) comfortable.
Stewart Downing was also left on the bench in favour of former Black Cat Jordan Henderson who occupied the other wide role – not to much avail. Liverpool struggled in possession with Charlie Adam in particular guilty of wasting passes and ‘making up’ for them with needless fouls – 8 before half-time alone.
The defence didn’t escape a tinkering as Jamie Carragher found himself out of the starting line-up once more, this time for Sebastian Coates. However the young Uruguayan didn’t enjoy a successful return to the first team as the centre-half displayed his inexperience against Nicklas Bendtner who ghosted in on his blindside on numerous occasions.
It was the Dane who scored the game’s only goal 11 minutes into the second-half, following up a shot from Frazier Campbell which had hit the woodwork, leaving Pepe Reina stranded.
The Reds reaction was to introduce both Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll for the ineffective Charlie Adam and for, surprisingly, Craig Bellamy – Liverpool’s best player – who didn’t look too impressed with seeing his number held up. Downing also entered the fray later leaving most fans pondering why both Carroll and Downing rarely get much game time together, when they seem ideally suited to each other’s game.
There was to be no late drama however other than a blocked Gerrard shot, whilst Dirk Kuyt headed wide after a cross from his captain as Sunderland deservedly held on and with it, climbed within just 2 points of the Reds.
The fat lady has now surely sung on the slim chance of Champions League football next season.
FT: Sunderland 1 v 0 LIVERPOOL
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Very bad day at the office, poor performers all over the field.
At least we are beginning to see dlaglish for what he is; incompetent. Bring in Rafa, hand him 70m plus whatever he generates from player sales and see what he’ll do!
LOL!!! Calm Down!!!
Hi Mike! I totally agree with you, must sack KD imediately and bring back Rafael Benitez before he join Chelsea!!!
Agree also! Love Kenny – BUT!
Unfortunately things at LFC are getting pretty ugly after experiencing our third consecutive defeat in the premier league and I personally don’t see any way of recovery as long as Kenny Dalglish remains on helm! It is imperative for John W. Henry, Thomas Werner, Ian Ayre, and Damiel Comolli to finally realize this as well and finally to take the right decision as they can factually prove what they have been declaring from the very first moment they undertook the team that they want to transform it into a superpower football team again! It is so deplorably tragic watching LFC games and being possessed by the sentiment that this team does not actually have a manager who will scout and analyze the opponent teams and provide the right plan to the players as tactically can play orthodox football and beat their opponents! So, if Kenny Dalglish loves this club as he claims I am wondering how he can’t observe and perceive this reality and for the sake of the team to step down as LFC’s manager? Kenny was good just for the transitional period of moving from the ex-ownership to the current. Kenny is not good enough for the modernized football, thus, he is not the manager who will meet up with our high expectations!
If Dalglish does not get sacked at the end of the season, we are in for more bad performances next season. Sack the moron.