Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: Gerrard rescues Reds again

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard once again came to his side's rescue but it was referee Stuart Attwell who grabbed the headlines with an erratic display in Sunderland's 2-2 draw at Anfield.

The official, who awarded the infamous "ghost goal" in the Championship two years ago, allowed Dirk Kuyt's opening strike to count after ruling Michael Turner had taken a free-kick when he appeared to roll it back to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Darren Bent hit back with a penalty and a header either side of half-time before Gerrard nodded in Fernando Torres' near-post cross to salvage a point.

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt returned earlier than expected from a shoulder injury to take his place in the starting line-up for the visit of Sunderland to Anfield.

The Holland international replaced Maxi Rodriguez as the only change from the side which lost at Manchester United last Sunday.

Centre-back Titus Bramble, who was arrested by the police in midweek, kept his place in the Black Cats side as manager Steve Bruce made three alterations to the team which drew at home to Arsenal last weekend.

Captain Lee Cattermole returned from suspension while there were also recalls for Phil Bardsley and Michael Turner - his first appearance for a month - with Anton Ferdinand and Kieran Richardson (both injured) and Cristian Riveros missing out.

Fernando Torres had the ball in the net in only the third minute after controlling Steven Gerrard's free-kick on his chest and volleying in, only to be denied by an offside flag, although the decision was very marginal.

Three minutes later the Spain striker had a major hand in Liverpool's controversial opener.

When Sunderland were awarded a free-kick 10 yards inside their half, Turner tapped the ball back towards Simon Mignolet, presumably intending for the goalkeeper to take it.

Torres turned to look at referee Stuart Attwell, the official who awarded the infamous "ghost goal" in the Watford v Reading Championship game in September 2008, who immediately waved play on.

Mignolet stood on the edge of his penalty area raising one arm aloft in the vain hope Torres would take pity, but the 26-year-old was not in a sympathetic mood and rolled a pass for Kuyt to slide a shot into the net.

Turner's challenge on the Spaniard in the 17th minute could have resulted in a penalty but, perhaps considering his earlier decision, the 27-year-old Attwell ignored appeals.

Gerrard's underhit header back towards Jose Reina forced his goalkeeper to race out and dive feet first at Darren Bent to clear the danger.

Raul Meireles, playing wide right in a 4-4-2 system, was next to try his luck with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the area which Mignolet clutched to his chest comfortably.

Attwell was in the action again in the 25th minute when he awarded a penalty after Ahmed Elmohamady's cross hit Christian Poulsen's arm in the penalty area.

Reina got a touch to Bent's shot but the fiercely-struck spot-kick went under the goalkeeper's body.

The Reds suffered a further blow moments later when Paul Konchesky limped off and had to be replaced by centre-half Daniel Agger, who has filled in a number of times already this season at left-back.

From that point all the play went Sunderland's way as Liverpool's early confidence appear to drain away as their game became narrower and passes less ambitious.

When the half-time whistle came it was the Black Cats who were disappointed.

Four minutes into the second half another defensive lapse allowed the visitors to take the lead.

Nedum Onuoha's right-wing cross was a good one, but Glen Johnson was caught ball-watching the wrong side of Bent as the striker nipped in at the far post to head his side in front.

Even the usually reliable Reina was rattled, scuffing one clearance straight at Jordan Henderson, who almost punished the error with a long-range goal.

Torres' frustration was growing and after diving in at Onuoha he was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after visibly showing dissent to Attwell.

Manager Roy Hodgson made a positive substitution by replacing defensive midfielder Poulsen with striker David Ngog, bringing Meireles inside and moving Kuyt out to the right.

But with the game seemingly drifting away from them, their two star players dragged them back into the contest midway through the half.

Torres beat Bardsley close to the right touchline and swung over an inviting cross which Gerrard headed in at the near post.

But they could not gain any momentum as a clash of heads between Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel resulted in the former briefly leaving the field for stitches while his defensive partner was bandaged up.

Gerrard was booked for catching Danny Welbeck in the face with his arm as they challenged for the ball as the atmosphere began to heat up.

Liverpool, at least, were now showing some desire and Ngog forced a low save out of Mignolet before Kuyt fired just wide, Turner also cleared off the line from Ngog and Agger headed wide.

The result did little to lift the growing feeling of discontent in and around the club and a sit-in protest against unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett at the final whistle only highlighted problems yet to be overcome.