Though by the narrowest of margins, Liverpool recorded another vital victory away to Sunderland on Wednesday, and here we bring the best of the reaction from social media.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League – Stadium of Light – Wednesday 30th December 2015
Goals: Benteke 46′
It took one goal from Christian Benteke to secure a priceless three points for Liverpool once again, in a game fraught with poor touches and misguided, long-range efforts.
Though not the most convincing of performances from the Reds, a 1-0 win away to Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland will be cherished by Jurgen Klopp and his side.
The German named a strong starting lineup for the trip to the Stadium of Light, though there was little in terms of game-changing quality on the substitutes’ bench.
Whether or not Klopp was hoping to do any rotation he's not exactly got a squad available to do much rotating with.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) December 30, 2015
That bench is grim. https://t.co/NunuPR3w9P
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 30, 2015
Jesus that bench
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) December 30, 2015
When Benteke and his team-mates made their way out onto the pitch, surprisingly much of the focus was on Liverpool’s lesser-spotted black kit—complete, for the evening, with white socks.
https://twitter.com/Kopology/status/682286741647167488
https://twitter.com/MubzLFC/status/682286318634844160
Roberto Firmino was the first player to trouble Vito Mannone in the Sunderland goal, fizzing a long-range effort onto the post via the Italian’s fingertips.
That's more like it Firmino.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) December 30, 2015
Better from Firmino, about time
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) December 30, 2015
Christ …. that Firmino shot nearly made me wee
— Jason Roberts (@JaseRoberts_) December 30, 2015
This proved to be the best chance of the first half however, leaving little in terms of encouragement for supporters.
Need to play more direct and with greater intensity. Played like the team were already leading. #LFC
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) December 30, 2015
Play Firmino up front and bring Ibe on, all a bit too slow. Coutinho dropping deep but has too much to do
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) December 30, 2015
That all changed less than 30 seconds after the interval, as Benteke slotted home beyond Mannone after a lucky pass from Adam Lallana.
Deserved!!! ????
— Rob Jones (@RobjonesLFC2) December 30, 2015
He did it, he scored a straightforward chance. Yes bentekkers!!!!
— Floyd (@TheFNundy) December 30, 2015
Second successive game in which Benteke's been rubbish but scored. Makes for an interesting division of opinion. #LFC
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) December 30, 2015
It's clear, Twitter reverse psychology works on Benteke. Everyone abuse him, constantly, and he'll score
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) December 30, 2015
Benteke has this annoying habit of being awful but still managing to score.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 30, 2015
After seeing Sunderland‘s Jack Rodwell withdrawn through injury before the half-hour mark, Liverpool supporters were disappointed to see their own midfield dynamo, Jordan Henderson, trudge off just over 30 minutes later.
Well, that's disappointing….
— Floyd (@TheFNundy) December 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/682306723550466049
Hope Henderson's discomfort is nothing serious. #LFC can ill afford another major injury to an instrumental player at such an important time
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) December 30, 2015
Without Henderson, Liverpool lacked impetus in the final third, with Philippe Coutinho reverting to his worrying, hit-and-hope approach from the outside the penalty area.
STOP SHOOTING PHIL!
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) December 30, 2015
Coutinho shoots. Goes Wide. Repeat.
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) December 30, 2015
Coutinho needs to start passing. He's better at that than shooting.
— Colin Spreag (@ColinSpreag) December 30, 2015
The travelling Kop, in great voice throughout, howled at referee Kevin Friend following a horrific challenge from Jeremain Lens on Mamadou Sakho.
If Friend is consistent he'll send Lens off for that. He books him. Doesn't even make him fill in the hole he dug in the pitch.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) December 30, 2015
Straight red, surely?
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) December 30, 2015
That's why they are called hospital passes.
— Joseph Cousins (@JCuzzy1) December 30, 2015
Refs had an absolute mare. That's a red card, wasn't in control of the tackle whatsoever.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 30, 2015
Fortunately, Sakho came away unscathed, and the game played out to a comfortable 1-0 win for Liverpool.
https://twitter.com/MrDilk1ington/status/682315713428721664
Never in trouble, controlled their possession. Created some nice chances, I like how we're developing
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) December 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/DivockOrigi/status/682316004366614529
3 points, doesn't really matter about the performance now! Should have scored a few more, important we put on a little run now
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) December 30, 2015
Liverpool are now set to take on West Ham United on January 2, with the trip to the Boleyn Ground representing another opportunity to gain ground in the race for the top four.
SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL
- MATCH REPORT: Benteke makes the difference to round off 2015
- TALKING POINTS: Benteke improves, but Klopp wants more
- PLAYER RATINGS: Lovren wins Man of the Match
- TACTICAL REVIEW: Central stability sees Reds edge out Sunderland
- KLOPP’S PRESSER: The manager reviews his side’s latest win
- SAKHO FITNESS UPDATE: “For me, that’s a red card”
- KLOPP OPTIMISTIC: “Everybody needs a little bit of luck”
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