Liverpool endured a frustrating opening day setback as Sunderland show resilience and courage with a touch of class from their new signing.
Liverpool showed off all their new major signings in front of their home crowd. For the first half Liverpool looked dangerous and inventive with Suarez forcing Richardson into a bad back pass which the striker pounced on and rounded the keeper; only to be brought down by Richardson. The foul was worth a red card but the ref Phil Dowd preferred to give him a yellow to the crowds’ anger. Suarez blazed over the resulting spot kick.
However, Suarez atoned for his earlier miss by heading a Charlie Adam free kick soon after. Liverpool came close again with an intricate run by Downing who impressed with Enrique on the left and Downing struck the post with a low drive. Carroll mid-way into the half had a goal chalked off for an alleged push on Ferdinand.
It proved to be a game of two halves however and Sunderland came out hungry and more determined. Although Liverpool came out of the famous tunnel, they seem to have left their brains and tactics behind. Liverpool’s second half was full of lapse defending and error strewn play. Sunderland latched onto Liverpool’s failings and looked to take full advantage.
The first warning came when Gyan was helped from uninterested defending and headed straight into a thankful Reina’s hands. But Sunderland did not have to wait too long and Larsson smashed home a smart scissor volley. Cattermole could have secured three points for Sunderland late on but blasted over.
Liverpool’s lack lustre defence may force Daglish back into the market. This weekend Loris Nery became linked with Reds. Nery is versatile defender who can play across the back. He is contracted the Saint Etienne until 2013. However at only 20 years of age he would be a player for the future and would not make an impact this season. Liverpool are reported to be willing to loan him back to the French outfit on a season long loan.
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