Van Dijk header seals Liverpool win and ends Sunderland home unbeaten run
Reds edge tight contest to boost top four hopes
Liverpool claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as Virgil van Dijk’s second half header ended the hosts’ impressive unbeaten Premier League home run.
The result lifts Liverpool closer to the top four while bringing Sunderland’s 12 match league unbeaten streak on home soil to an end.
Sunderland start bright but Liverpool grow into the game
Sunderland made an energetic start and threatened early through Trai Hume and Robin Roefs deliveries into the box, forcing Alisson Becker into early action.
Deadline day signing Nilson Angulo made his full debut and showed promising moments, helping create opportunities as the hosts looked confident in the opening stages.
Liverpool gradually took control of possession and began creating chances. Florian Wirtz came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when his low effort struck the post before Roefs reacted quickly to deny him on the rebound.
Van Dijk delivers decisive moment
Liverpool continued to increase pressure after halftime and finally found the breakthrough in the 61st minute.
Mohamed Salah delivered a dangerous corner that Van Dijk flicked goalwards, with the ball bouncing in off Habib Diarra at the back post to give the visitors the lead.
The goal shifted momentum firmly in Liverpool’s favour as Sunderland struggled to respond with the same attacking intensity.
Injury concern and late Liverpool control
Liverpool suffered a worrying moment when Wataru Endo had to be stretchered off after landing awkwardly, with Joe Gomez introduced as his replacement.
Both sides created late chances as Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones came close for Liverpool while Hume threatened from a Sunderland attack, but neither side could find another goal.
Liverpool remained composed during seven minutes of added time to secure a valuable three points.
Reds strengthen Champions League push
The victory keeps Liverpool firmly in contention for Champions League qualification and represents another disciplined defensive performance.
For Sunderland, the defeat ends a remarkable unbeaten home league run but the performance still showed signs of resilience against one of the league’s strongest sides.
