Lazar Markovic bagged his first Premier League goal as Liverpool claimed a deserved 1-0 victory over 10-man Sunderland.
The Serbian international netted from close range on nine minutes when Fabio Borini’s through pass deflected into his path as the Reds recorded their sixth win in nine visits to the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool completely dominated the first half, with Markovic denied a penalty in the early exchanges, but they wasted a plethora of chances that would have put the game beyond their hosts.
Sunderland were booed off at half time after failing to muster a shot on goal and they were reduced to 10 men on 49 minutes when Liam Bridcutt picked up a second yellow card.
The sending off spurred Sunderland momentarily, with Adam Johnson crashing a shot off the crossbar, but that was as good as it got as their dismal home form continued.
More to follow...
Lazar Markovic bagged his first Premier League goal as Liverpool claimed a deserved 1-0 victory over 10-man Sunderland.
The Serbian international netted from close range on nine minutes when Fabio Borini’s through pass deflected into his path as the Reds recorded their sixth win in nine visits to the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool completely dominated the first half, with Markovic denied a penalty in the early exchanges, but they wasted a plethora of chances that would have put the game beyond their hosts.
Sunderland were booed off at half time after failing to muster a shot on goal and they were reduced to 10 men on 49 minutes when Liam Bridcutt picked up a second yellow card.
The sending off spurred Sunderland momentarily, with Adam Johnson crashing a shot off the crossbar, but that was as good as it got as their dismal home form continued.
More to follow...
Liverpool earned a valuable three points away to 10-man Sunderland, with Lazar Markovic’s goal the difference between the two sides on Saturday afternoon.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League / Stadium of Light / Saturday, 10th January 2015
Goals: Markovic (8)
Sent-off: Bridcutt 49
Liverpool returned to Premier League action, following their 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round on Monday, with Sunderland the opponents at the Stadium of Light.
Brendan Rodgers made just two changes from the Wimbledon game, bringing Alberto Moreno in for Javier Manquillo and replacing Rickie Lambert with Fabio Borini.
The Italian earned a rare star against the club he spent last season on loan at, his first since Real Madrid away, while Simon Mignolet and Jordan Henderson also faced their former team.
Youngster Jordan Rossiter was named on the substitutes’ bench, while Raheem Sterling continued to be rested.
Markovic somehow didn’t win a penalty in the opening few minutes, with Wes Brown clearly fouling the on-rushing Serbia star.
It was a confident start by the Reds, who enjoyed much of the ball, and it didn’t take long for Rodgers’ men to be in front.
The persistent Markovic bundled his way into the penalty area, after referee Craig Pawson had allowed Liverpool an advantage after a foul on Borini, before poking the ball past Costel Pantilimon. It was the perfect start.
Gerrard’s side-footed effort deflected past the post after 23 minutes, while the skipper’s free-kick from out wide was tipped over by Pantilimon. Markovic then produced a sensational scissor-kicked effort which came back off the crossbar. The 20-year-old had been fantastic.
Henderson’s terrific half-volleyed effort hit the post eight minutes before the interval, but the 24-year-old was adjudged to have handled the ball prior to shooting.
Gerrard then twice came close the doubling his side’s lead, while Borini just failed to convert having rounded Pantilimon. Emre Can‘s through-ball in the lead-up was magnificent.
Liverpool led at the break, and it had been a superb performance. The only negative was that they weren’t further ahead.
Half-time: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
![SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 10, 2015: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic [hidden] scores the first goal against Sunderland during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uQg3YjIV4mSQt3dQdojb7YWWZdZ6pGw5r8psWXNoU4wzOZaI2TvPfAxmUaGABqje352gdhCwVUgA=s0-d)
Gerrard was replaced at half-time because of injury, with Dejan Lovren coming on for the captain. Can pushed into midfield.
Markovic dragged an effort wide immediately after the break, and after 49 minutes Sunderland’s afternoon went from bad to worse. Liam Bridcutt was sent-off for a second yellow card, having fouled Can.
Adam Johnson’s stunning strike came back off the bar, and Martin Skrtel made a vital interception to deny Patrick van Aanholt an undeserved equaliser.
The Black Cats actually improved with 10 men, and it was vital that Rodgers’ side didn’t get complacent and allow them back into the game.
Can switched to right wing-back, with Markovic slotting into Gerrard’s attacking midfield role. It seemed rather baffling as to why Rodgers would move his best performer on the day.
Coutinho fired an effort wide after a slick counter-attack midway through the second-half, and the quiet Borini was replaced by Mario Balotelli.
The Brazilian then tested Pantilimon after a nice interchange with Markovic, while at the other end John O’Shea almost pounced from a corner. Victory was far from sealed with 15 minutes remaining.
Liverpool bossed the remainder of the game though, earning an important three points in the process. It had got a little nervy, but they had dominated from start to finish. It’s now just one defeat in 13 for the Reds.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Lucas, Markovic, Gerrard (Lovren 46), Coutinho, Borini (Balotelli 67).
Subs not used: Ward, Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Rossiter.
Sunderland starting XI: Pantilimon, Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Giaccherini, Wickham.
Liverpool earned a valuable three points away to 10-man Sunderland, with Lazar Markovic’s goal the difference between the two sides on Saturday afternoon.
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League / Stadium of Light / Saturday, 10th January 2015
Goals: Markovic (8)
Sent-off: Bridcutt 49
Liverpool returned to Premier League action, following their 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round on Monday, with Sunderland the opponents at the Stadium of Light.
Brendan Rodgers made just two changes from the Wimbledon game, bringing Alberto Moreno in for Javier Manquillo and replacing Rickie Lambert with Fabio Borini.
The Italian earned a rare star against the club he spent last season on loan at, his first since Real Madrid away, while Simon Mignolet and Jordan Henderson also faced their former team.
Youngster Jordan Rossiter was named on the substitutes’ bench, while Raheem Sterling continued to be rested.
Markovic somehow didn’t win a penalty in the opening few minutes, with Wes Brown clearly fouling the on-rushing Serbia star.
It was a confident start by the Reds, who enjoyed much of the ball, and it didn’t take long for Rodgers’ men to be in front.
The persistent Markovic bundled his way into the penalty area, after referee Craig Pawson had allowed Liverpool an advantage after a foul on Borini, before poking the ball past Costel Pantilimon. It was the perfect start.
Gerrard’s side-footed effort deflected past the post after 23 minutes, while the skipper’s free-kick from out wide was tipped over by Pantilimon. Markovic then produced a sensational scissor-kicked effort which came back off the crossbar. The 20-year-old had been fantastic.
Henderson’s terrific half-volleyed effort hit the post eight minutes before the interval, but the 24-year-old was adjudged to have handled the ball prior to shooting.
Gerrard then twice came close the doubling his side’s lead, while Borini just failed to convert having rounded Pantilimon. Emre Can‘s through-ball in the lead-up was magnificent.
Liverpool led at the break, and it had been a superb performance. The only negative was that they weren’t further ahead.
Half-time: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Gerrard was replaced at half-time because of injury, with Dejan Lovren coming on for the captain. Can pushed into midfield.
Markovic dragged an effort wide immediately after the break, and after 49 minutes Sunderland’s afternoon went from bad to worse. Liam Bridcutt was sent-off for a second yellow card, having fouled Can.
Adam Johnson’s stunning strike came back off the bar, and Martin Skrtel made a vital interception to deny Patrick van Aanholt an undeserved equaliser.
The Black Cats actually improved with 10 men, and it was vital that Rodgers’ side didn’t get complacent and allow them back into the game.
Can switched to right wing-back, with Markovic slotting into Gerrard’s attacking midfield role. It seemed rather baffling as to why Rodgers would move his best performer on the day.
Coutinho fired an effort wide after a slick counter-attack midway through the second-half, and the quiet Borini was replaced by Mario Balotelli.
The Brazilian then tested Pantilimon after a nice interchange with Markovic, while at the other end John O’Shea almost pounced from a corner. Victory was far from sealed with 15 minutes remaining.
Liverpool bossed the remainder of the game though, earning an important three points in the process. It had got a little nervy, but they had dominated from start to finish. It’s now just one defeat in 13 for the Reds.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Lucas, Markovic, Gerrard (Lovren 46), Coutinho, Borini (Balotelli 67).
Subs not used: Ward, Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Rossiter.
Sunderland starting XI: Pantilimon, Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Giaccherini, Wickham.
Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is enjoying a mid-season break in the Caribbean but manager Brendan Rodgers says he will be back for the club’s next fixture away to Aston Villa next weekend.
The 20-year-old was absent for Saturday’s game against Sunderland on Wearside with Rodgers saying he had always planned to give the winger a few days off early in the new year.
Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "If we're going to maximise what we can get out of him, then he needs that bit of recovery time.
"A period of rest and the recuperation will do him the world of good. It's been a gruelling first half of the season for him with a lot of matches and a lot of work.
“This is the last game he misses. He'll be back in training next week."
Sterling has been photographed recently soaking up the sun in Jamaica.
Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is enjoying a mid-season break in the Caribbean but manager Brendan Rodgers says he will be back for the club’s next fixture away to Aston Villa next weekend.
The 20-year-old was absent for Saturday’s game against Sunderland on Wearside with Rodgers saying he had always planned to give the winger a few days off early in the new year.
Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "If we're going to maximise what we can get out of him, then he needs that bit of recovery time.
"A period of rest and the recuperation will do him the world of good. It's been a gruelling first half of the season for him with a lot of matches and a lot of work.
“This is the last game he misses. He'll be back in training next week."
Sterling has been photographed recently soaking up the sun in Jamaica.
Liverpool take on Sunderland in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light (12.45pm UK kick off).
Brendan Rodgers makes two changes to the side that scraped past Wimbledon in the FA Cup on Monday.
Alberto Moreno comes into the side in place of fellow Spaniard Javier Manquillo, with Lazar Markovic moving to the right side of midfield.
Up front, Fabio Borini comes into the side in place of Rickie Lambert – with Raheem Sterling on an extended rest period in Jamaica.
Italian Borini, who spent last season on loan to the Black Cats, hasn’t started a game for Liverpool since Real Madrid away in early November. His only Premier League start this season was in the 3-1 defeat at West Ham in September.
Steven Gerrard continues alongside Philippe Coutinho as the two attacking midfielders, with Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson in centre-midfield.
Windy conditions on Tyne and Wear could play a part today.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Lucas, Henderson, Moreno; Coutinho, Gerrard; Borini.
Subs: Ward, Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Rossiter, Lambert, Balotelli.
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, van Aanholt, O’Shea, Brown, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Giaccherini, Wickham.
Subs: Jones, Graham, Alvarez, Buckley, Mandron, Agnew, Mannone.
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Liverpool take on Sunderland in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light (12.45pm UK kick off).
Brendan Rodgers makes two changes to the side that scraped past Wimbledon in the FA Cup on Monday.
Alberto Moreno comes into the side in place of fellow Spaniard Javier Manquillo, with Lazar Markovic moving to the right side of midfield.
Up front, Fabio Borini comes into the side in place of Rickie Lambert – with Raheem Sterling on an extended rest period in Jamaica.
Italian Borini, who spent last season on loan to the Black Cats, hasn’t started a game for Liverpool since Real Madrid away in early November. His only Premier League start this season was in the 3-1 defeat at West Ham in September.
Steven Gerrard continues alongside Philippe Coutinho as the two attacking midfielders, with Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson in centre-midfield.
Windy conditions on Tyne and Wear could play a part today.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Lucas, Henderson, Moreno; Coutinho, Gerrard; Borini.
Subs: Ward, Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Rossiter, Lambert, Balotelli.
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, van Aanholt, O’Shea, Brown, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Giaccherini, Wickham.
Subs: Jones, Graham, Alvarez, Buckley, Mandron, Agnew, Mannone.
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Liverpool’s achilles heel continues to be in goal, and the club are being linked with a morale-boosting summer move for Chelsea legend Petr Cech.
The 32-year-old has seen his first-team chances hampered by the arrival of Thibaut Courtois this season, and the Telegraph ‘s Chris Bascombe reports that Brendan Rodgers is interested in bringing Cech to Anfield in the summer.
Although Rodgers was supportive of the struggling Simon Mignolet in his pre-Sunderland press conference on Thursday, he made it clear about the flaws in the Belgian’s game.
“Simon was at the time we were watching him, and still is, a wonderful shot-stopper. He makes big saves but the adaptation for him is coming into a big team where you are not having to make as many saves and therefore concentration is important and you probably have more touches of the ball with your feet than what he might have expected.
“He has come in here under massive expectation to replace a player who was outstanding for Liverpool for seven or eight years. He is trying to develop areas of his game. He knows he needs to improve with his feet and he is working hard on that on a daily basis. He is analysing the games and working with the coach and doing everything he can to be the best he can be.”
It is clear that, despite certain attributes Mignolet has at his disposal, he is not the long-term solution in goal at Anfield.
In truth, a new ‘keeper could do with being brought in this month, such has been the form of the 26-year-old and the hapless Brad Jones, but if they could get Cech in the summer it would be the next best thing.
The 112-time capped Czech Republic international has been one of the world’s best goalkeepers for a decade, and he would potentially remain at his best for another four or five years.
He would also bring a winners mentality with him to the club; something that is lacking hugely in Rodgers’ squad barring Steven Gerrard, whose exit is imminent.
.
Liverpool’s achilles heel continues to be in goal, and the club are being linked with a morale-boosting summer move for Chelsea legend Petr Cech.
The 32-year-old has seen his first-team chances hampered by the arrival of Thibaut Courtois this season, and the Telegraph ‘s Chris Bascombe reports that Brendan Rodgers is interested in bringing Cech to Anfield in the summer.
Although Rodgers was supportive of the struggling Simon Mignolet in his pre-Sunderland press conference on Thursday, he made it clear about the flaws in the Belgian’s game.
“Simon was at the time we were watching him, and still is, a wonderful shot-stopper. He makes big saves but the adaptation for him is coming into a big team where you are not having to make as many saves and therefore concentration is important and you probably have more touches of the ball with your feet than what he might have expected.
“He has come in here under massive expectation to replace a player who was outstanding for Liverpool for seven or eight years. He is trying to develop areas of his game. He knows he needs to improve with his feet and he is working hard on that on a daily basis. He is analysing the games and working with the coach and doing everything he can to be the best he can be.”
It is clear that, despite certain attributes Mignolet has at his disposal, he is not the long-term solution in goal at Anfield.
In truth, a new ‘keeper could do with being brought in this month, such has been the form of the 26-year-old and the hapless Brad Jones, but if they could get Cech in the summer it would be the next best thing.
The 112-time capped Czech Republic international has been one of the world’s best goalkeepers for a decade, and he would potentially remain at his best for another four or five years.
He would also bring a winners mentality with him to the club; something that is lacking hugely in Rodgers’ squad barring Steven Gerrard, whose exit is imminent.
.
Speculation has grown in the last 24 hours about Lucas Leiva’s future, and Brendan Rodgers is reportedly pondering on the idea of selling the 28-year-old.
The always reliable Chris Bascombe wrote in the Telegraph that Liverpool will have to withstand a bid from Inter for the services of the Brazilian.
Tony Barrett of the Times echoed that sentiment, and highlighted the fact that Rodgers has the tricky decision of whether to sanction the sale or not.
The Northern Irishman reportedly has to decide whether he feels he would have sufficient depth within his squad without the 28-year-old, which is more than debatable.
Not only has Lucas enjoyed a resurgence this season, bringing much-needed defensive cover to the midfield, but Rodgers also has nobody else like him.
Steven Gerrard has shown his defensive flaws and needs to be played further up the pitch, Joe Allen has struggled with both form and injury, Jordan Henderson is more effective in a box-to-box role and Emre Can has been thriving at centre-back.
Selling Lucas this month would only make sense if Rodgers brings in a replacement defensive midfielder. If he allows him to leave and buys nobody, it could prove fatal to Liverpool’s chances of a top-four finish and a trophy.
.
Speculation has grown in the last 24 hours about Lucas Leiva’s future, and Brendan Rodgers is reportedly pondering on the idea of selling the 28-year-old.
The always reliable Chris Bascombe wrote in the Telegraph that Liverpool will have to withstand a bid from Inter for the services of the Brazilian.
Tony Barrett of the Times echoed that sentiment, and highlighted the fact that Rodgers has the tricky decision of whether to sanction the sale or not.
The Northern Irishman reportedly has to decide whether he feels he would have sufficient depth within his squad without the 28-year-old, which is more than debatable.
Not only has Lucas enjoyed a resurgence this season, bringing much-needed defensive cover to the midfield, but Rodgers also has nobody else like him.
Steven Gerrard has shown his defensive flaws and needs to be played further up the pitch, Joe Allen has struggled with both form and injury, Jordan Henderson is more effective in a box-to-box role and Emre Can has been thriving at centre-back.
Selling Lucas this month would only make sense if Rodgers brings in a replacement defensive midfielder. If he allows him to leave and buys nobody, it could prove fatal to Liverpool’s chances of a top-four finish and a trophy.
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