Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1: Markovic stars in Liverpool victory

If anyone doubted Steven Gerrard’s commitment to the cause going forward they only had see the Liverpool captain at the end of the game.  He waited at the top of the tunnel for each player with a pat on the back of the head, but for Mignolet, who had a decent game he let out a strong congratulatory “yes” and hug for his clean sheet.

Liverpool were impressive in the first-half with Markovic the standout performer.  He was excellent at both ends of the pitch, adding another dimension coming forward.  In only the third minute he was unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty being brought down by West Brown coming round to cover after Coutinho’s through ball.

Enjoying controlled possession Liverpool were soon in front.  As if to make up from his earlier decision referee Craig Pawson played the advantage from a foul on Borini to allow Markovic to go through to score.  The Serbian International instigated and finished the move after Borini leading the line played him in.
 
Liverpool weren’t just controlling the game they were dominating in the last third and should have had the game sown up well before half-time.

Markovic again at the fore unleashed a spectacular volley from the edge of the area which cannoned off the bar hitting
Pantillimon before going wide.

Coutinho again showing up well found Henderson stealing into the area before the ex-Sunderland player brought the ball down and struck a left-footed shot against the post, but unfortunately for Henderson his ball control was deemed a handball.

Gerrard having played a key role in the first goal deflecting the ball into the path of Borini was found by the forward to strike his shot powerfully into the side netting from an acute angle.  A minute later, Gerrard again found by Borini shot tamely with a left-footed drive from just inside the area.

Emre Can warming to the task with a longer run in the side found Borini with an exquisite pass curled round Brown, the striker went round Pantilimon only to knock the ball into the side netting with the angle narrowing.

Liverpool will have been disappointed with the possession and missed chances in the first-half and even more so having lost captain Steven Gerrard to a tight leg muscle.

Markovic pulled an early left-footed shot wide of the goal having moved inside to replace Gerrard in behind BorinI with Can moving to the right and Lovren coming on into the back three.

Liam Bridcutt having collected an unlucky booking in the first-half inadvertently brought down the marauding Can attempting to pull out of the tackle.

The ten men of Sunderland seem to find a new lease of life and almost equalised when Adam Johnson spectacular swerving shot beat Mignolet all ends up before crashing back of the crossbar.  Both Henderson and Lucas ended up in the book with Liverpool looking to get back on top.

Coutinho wasted a glorious chance from the edge of the area Liverpool’s impish instigator pulled his shot wide having given Pantilimon ‘the eyes’.  Bolotelli, on for the hard-working Borini, produced a sharp turn on the edge of area before seeing his shot parried away.

Liverpool suffered late scares from a corner as John O’Shea miss-kicked and substitute Mandron heading over in injury time.

Man of the Match: Lazar Markovic – Was easily best the player on the pitch enjoying a superb first half giving Liverpool an extra-dimension down the right, by being direct in his play and covering back.  He is comfortable on the ball, intelligently playing in team mates at the right time and added a much needed potency to a Liverpool midfield in the final third.

He was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when upended by Wes Brown, hit the bar with sumptuous volley and poked home a well deserved winner.

Critical eye:  Impressive performance by Liverpool who like Sunderland had been struck down with injuries.

Fabio Borini put in a shift and impressed leading the line offering himself as a target.  Played a key role in the goal providing the key pass and on another day could have had a couple more assists providing Gerrard with two good openings and may have feel he should have scored once he rounded the keeper.  Given the level of his performance will feel he more than deserves another start.

Philippe Coutinho once again was Liverpool’s conductor controlling the tempo providing some lovely touches and darting runs.   He is now riding tackles instead of going down, but his finishing still leaves a lot to be desired.

Emre Can looks a quality player and even more so once he moved out of defence.  He has poise and strength on the ball and one surging run down the right flank caused Sunderland to go to ten-men.
It was good to see a clean-sheet (only the sixth from 37 games) for Liverpool in what could have been a tricky encounter.  Liverpool will be mad to let go Lucas in this window even if they have a replacement because right now he is helping to add defensive stability and is up too speed.

If we keep this level of performance up creating chances Daniel Sturridge will be coming back into a team where chances will be plentiful and will give Brendan the option of playing two upfront.

Teams: 

Sunderland: 1, Pantilimon, 27 Vergini, 16 O’Shea, 5 Brown, 3 van Aanholt, 4 Bridcutt, 11 Johnson (Mandron – 86 mins), 7 Larsson, 14 Jordi Gomez, 23 Giaccerini (Buckley – 77 mins), 10 Wickham (Graham – 77 mins) 

Substitutes: 2 Jones, 19, Graham, 20 Alvarez, 25 Mannone, 30 Buckley, 38 Mandron, 42 Agnew

Liverpool: 23 Mignolet, 23 Can, 37 Skrtel, 17 Sakho, 50 Markovic, 14 Henderson, 21 Lucas, 18 Moreno, 8 Gerrard (Lovren – 45 mins), Borini (Balotelli – 67 mins), 10 Coutinho 

Referee: Craig Pawson 

Attendance: 45,369