Liverpool’s threat levels increased once Coutinho had exited, strangely, with Sunderland ending the first half hanging on in an 8-2-0 formation. Karius’s next contribution was to send a goal-kick on the left of his six-yard box straight out for a Sunderland corner on the right. Dejan Lovren headed across the Sunderland goal and wide when Jordan Henderson’s free-kick found the central defender scandalously unmarked at the back post. When Denayer threw himself at Sadio Mané’s close-range shot and deflected wide for a corner Liverpool had every reason to fear a goalless draw for the second Saturday in succession. Milner converted a clear penalty with ease and Liverpool were back on top of the Premier League prior to Chelsea’s late kick-off.

Source: The Guardian November 26, 2016 17:19 UTC