Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 23:00 25/09/10 By Derick Allsop
The torment goes on for Roy Hodgson... even if he preferred to put a positive spin on this latest setback.
He held his head and wheeled away in anguish as Liverpool’s desperate late bombardment of the Sunderland goal failed to deliver the second league victory he craved.
Around 2,000 Liverpool fans stayed on after the final whistle to voice their protest against the club’s American owners, but Hodgson disappeared into the dressing room to address personal matters.
He played his first team following the embarrassing debacle against Northampton and was presented with a bizarre early goal.
Fernando Torres took advantage of the Sunderland free-kick that wasn’t to set up a simple opener for Dirk Kuyt and for a few fleeting moments Liverpool threatened to sweep away Steve Bruce’s team.
But Sunderland worked their way back into contention, equalised courtesy of Darren Bent’s penalty and raised the prospect of taking all three points when the England striker scored a second.
Steven Gerrard, again leading by example, equalised and Sunderland had to reflect all of their manager’s stubborn defiance to hold out.
Hodgson put on a brave face, claiming: “Although it wasn’t the result we wanted, in many ways it was the performance. We deserved more than a draw.
“The first goal was a piece of quick thinking by Torres and Kuyt. Sunderland got back in the game and it was a cold shower to go behind 2-1. But you’ve seen the other results today.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. Players have been thrown in at the deep end and I’ve got a group of players who will get better the more they play together.”
But the fact is that Liverpool are still scratching around for a semblance of the sustained form that will convince their followers that they can again compete for the major honours.
Bruce, too, argued he should have had more from the match. He declined to say too much about controversial referee Stuart Attwell.
“I’ve paid too much in fines, bit everyone knows Turner was playing the ball to keeper to take the free-kick, so we’re talking about a crazy goal instead of a fantastic performance.”
Hodgson probably felt he was due a break but he could not have dared hope for the gift of a start Sunderland handed his team.
Michael Turner casually back-heeled the stationary ball towards for his goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, to take a free-kick but merely rolled it within reach of Torres.
The Spaniard hesitated, no doubt expecting the referee to blow. Instead the officials played on and Torres carried the ball forward before squaring to Kuyt to convert.
Sunderland’s players protested en masse but, after consulting his linesman, Attwell confirmed Liverpool’s lead.
But rather than fold, Sunderland harnessed their indignation and began to test the nerve and resilience of Hodgson’s defence and even Pepe Reina couldn’t deny them.
Christian Poulsen handled in the area and the Sunderland striker generated sufficient power to squeeze the penalty under Reina’s lunging body.
It got better still for the England striker and his team early in the second half. Nedum Onouha crossed invitingly from the right and Bent obliged, diving in front of Glen Johnson to power in his header.
As anxiety and frustration coursed through the stand and the Liverpool ranks, Torres and Kuyt were booked for rash challenges.
Liverpool’s obvious discomfort encouraged Sunderland to stay on the front foot and search for a third. Twice they went close, only to be undone by Gerrard.
The skipper had to adjust his position to meet Torres’ deflected cross and head his side level.
Gerrard, too, was shown yellow as the temperature rose, but that intensity served to fuel Liverpool’s desire.
Substitiue David Ngog, Joe Cole and finally Torres were all somehow defied by Sunderland’s defence in a frenzied assault.
Ngog moved in again, deep into the six minutes of stoppage time, but Turner beat him to the ball. Daniel Agger, another substitute, still had the chance to win the match for Liverpool, but he was off-target and Sunderland survived.
