Lazar Markovic’s first Barclays Premier League goal earned Liverpool a 1-0 win over struggling Sunderland.
The Serbian winger opened his top-flight account to break the deadlock in the eighth minute at the Stadium of Light on Saturday with a determined off-the-ball run and finish.
Markovic was at the centre of Liverpool’s best play and also struck the woodwork with an acrobatic effort, while former Sunderland loanee Fabio Borini missed a shot from a tight angle after rounding Costel Pantilimon in a dominant first half for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Liam Bridcutt was sent off early in the second period to make Sunderland’s task harder and, although Adam Johnson struck the crossbar soon afterwards, there was no way back for the home side. Gus Poyet’s team have one win from their last 11 top-flight matches, while Liverpool are unbeaten in seven in all competitions.
Jordan Henderson and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet lined up against their former club, as did Borini, who took the place of the rested Raheem Sterling. The hosts were without Steven Fletcher with a groin injury, while his planned replacement, Jozy Altidore, was missing with a sickness bug, leaving Connor Wickham up front on his own.
Liverpool started brightly and had claims for a penalty turned down by referee Craig Pawson when Markovic fell under a challenge from Wes Brown after four minutes. Markovic, one of three Liverpool changes from the New Year’s Day draw against Leicester City, capped a swift break with the opening goal.
Having initially taken possession out on the right, Markovic played the ball inside and continued his run before being picked out by Borini’s toe-poked pass. The Serb took the ball in his stride and bundled through a challenge before steering a shot beneath Pantilimon.
Liverpool continued in the ascendancy and Steven Gerrard saw two efforts from outside the box tipped behind for corners by Pantilimon. The Sunderland goalkeeper was beaten by Markovic’s improvised 29th-minute volley, but the ball came back off the crossbar and went out for a corner via Pantilimon’s elbow.
Rodgers’ men still had time to spurn another presentable opportunity before the end of the half, as Borini went past Pantilimon, only to shoot into the side netting.
Gerrard did not return for the second period as Dejan Lovren came on, but Liverpool were boosted by Bridcutt’s dismissal in the 49th minute after he had hauled back Emre Can to earn a second yellow.
Sunderland’s best effort on goal arrived two minutes later, when Johnson’s swerving effort caught out Mignolet and hit the crossbar. Martin Skrtel had to be alert to clear the ball with Patrick van Aanholt closing in. Although John O’Shea went close to sliding in a late leveller from Sebastian Larsson’s corner, Liverpool looked comfortable in wrapping up three points.
Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet: “We were much better on the ball than the last three or four games, we’re just missing that cutting edge up front, the one who scores the goals and wins you the games.In the Barclays Premier League a point is difficult, three points is massive. We’ll keep working hard.”
“He [Borini] was the answer last year, but we couldn’t get him this year.” There are players who can make the difference on their own, but they’re expensive.
“We’ve got the plans at the moment luckily nobody knows, which is great so I don’t need to comment too much on that. I’m trying to concentrate on what we’ve got and then the recruitment people need to work to get what we need.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: “It was an outstanding team performance. We had great control of the game, but I suppose the only disappointment is we did not have more goals. Our confidence is returning, this is a team that gets better and better as it goes on. It is a young group, but they are developing very well.
“January will be quiet for us, unless we think there is something that can really improve our team and then the owners will look to do that. We have a lot of exciting young talent here.”
source:premierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 