Liverpool overcomes Coutinho injury, beats Sunderland 2-0

Liverpool should without fail, be taking all three points in this one.

Liverpool had won, but lost their star performer in the process – Philippe Coutinho needing to be carried off the pitch in the first half, and the nail-biting over his diagnosis will be frantic. They’re not behind, but seeing Coutinho go off on that stretcher for what could be a lengthy absence feels worse than a loss right now.

It is upon such moments whole seasons can turn.

In the second half Wijnaldum bundled a volley wide, Roberto Firmino was denied by Pickford at his near post and Emre Can missed the target as Sunderland became even more defensive.

Sunderland boss David Moyes will be forced to make changes at Anfield.

“The amusing thing is that after the draw (last weekend) it started again with the “parking the bus” team thing but Southampton are not a “parking the bus team”.

Klopp is again set to be without midfielder Adam Lallana, who is still struggling with the groin injury he picked up on worldwide duty with England.

News that 17-year-old Ben Woodburn had made the bench was also a source of delight, while captain Jordan Henderson was marking his 250th career league appearance against his boyhood club.

This was not the day for Liverpool to lack their usual firepower.

The Black Cats face the Reds at Anfield on Saturday buoyed by wins over relegation rivals Bournemouth and Hull City in recent weeks. If Moyes’s deployment of Denayer underlined the visitors’ intentions, their collective belligerence ensured that Liverpool were unable to build up an early head of steam. We gave almost nothing away, of course there were one or two hard situations but that’s normal.

After the goalless draw against Southampton, the reds dropped to second on the log and are just one point behind Chelsea.

Liverpool have been in irresistible form and fans have warmed to the style and signings of manager Jurgen Klopp, whose side will be expected by most observers to be far too strong for Sunderland. If one person in the stadium underestimates them it would be the first mistake we could make.

In a freakish incident in the second half, Klopp berated the home fans, gesturing angrily to gee the crowd up as Liverpool struggled to break down a stubborn Sunderland.

The goal came deep into injury time after Wes Morgan drew a foul from Marten De Roon in the area. The siege had been a long time in coming but all of a sudden it was on. The players are here in this situation because their character is really good.