Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Report, result and goals as Van Dijk earns Reds three crucial points

"Liverpool edged past Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, with Virgil van Dijk's second-half header enough to separate the sides after a stubborn defensive performance from the hosts. In difficult, wet conditions, the opening stages were scrappy rather than free-flowing. Sunderland pressed aggressively and looked to use Brian Brobbey as an outlet, frequently testing Ibrahima Konate in direct duels. The French defender handled the early threat well, notably tracking Brobbey to block a close-range attempt after a Mukiele cross."

"Liverpool gradually assumed more control of the game. Florian Wirtz was the visitors' most inventive player in the first half and came close on multiple occasions. His curling strike from distance forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Roefs, and shortly afterwards, he found space inside the penalty area only to see a low effort strike the base of the post. Roefs was called into action again when he denied Wirtz's header from a Mohamed Salah delivery."

"Despite Liverpool's pressure, Sunderland remained organised at the back. Daniel Ballard and Omar Alderete repeatedly cleared a succession of corners, while Alisson was also required to react quickly at the other end to stop an Angulo effort that bounced awkwardly in front of him. A physical contest between Brobbey and Konate produced penalty appeals before the interval, but the referee waved play on and the teams went in level at half-time."

Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light through Virgil van Dijk's second-half header from a Mohamed Salah corner. Wet conditions made the early stages scrappy, with Sunderland pressing and targeting Brian Brobbey to test Ibrahima Konate. Konate produced key defensive actions to repel Sunderland's threats. Florian Wirtz was Liverpool's most creative outlet, forcing several saves from goalkeeper Roefs and hitting the post. Sunderland defended compactly, with Daniel Ballard and Omar Alderete clearing multiple corners and Alisson making a timely stop. Liverpool dominated possession but required the set-piece header to decide the match.

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