That worrying statistic matched a similarly worrying performance from Kenny Dalglish's side, who lacked imagination, craft and guile in attack and failed to summon any sort of form that might have enabled them to overcome Martin O'Neil's resurgent Black Cats. In the end, as seems to so often be the case away to Sunderland, a bit of bad fortune did it for the Reds, as Bendtner took advantage of a lucky bounce of the ball to hand the hosts their sixth home victory of the campaign.
Manager Kenny Dalglish made two changes to the team that suffered late heart break a week earlier at home to Arsenal, as Sebastian Coates replaced Jamie Carragher to make his second Premier League start while much-vaunted Welsh winger Craig Bellamy came in for England international Stewart Downing. Meanwhile, former Sunderland star Jordan Henderson, who swapped Wearside for Merseyside in the summer, started on the right hand side of the Reds' midfield.
The opening stages were tentative as both sides struggled with the windy conditions and goalscoring opportunities were few and far between. Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea flicked Larsson's cross over the bar on eight minutes and ex-Gunner Nicklas Bendtner fired straight at Pepe Reina soon after, but apart from that there was little to write home about.Liverpool's attack was ineffective for much of the first half, taking over half an hour to threaten the Black Cats' backline. Encouraging link up play between Kuyt, Suarez and Bellamy resulted in Adam lashing a shot over Mignolet's bar, as Sunderland's Belgian shot stopper remained a virtual spectator. Seven minutes before the break Gardner tried his luck from distance but Reina watched it fly past his post, as the teams headed in at the interval on level terms.
With little entertainment on offer, the match turned into a real dog fight in the second half and raw grit and determination were required to collect three points. Unfortunately, Liverpool appeared to lack their legendary fighting spirit and really struggled to find a way back into the contest after falling behind soon after the restart.
Moments after Colback's shot flew over the bar and the Wearsiders' talented youngster James McClean hammered high and wide, Bendtner broke the deadlock. Campbell's effort was turned onto the post, hit the diving Reina on the back, rebounded back off the post and rolled to the 24-year old Dane, who had the simply task of converting from close range.
The scenario would have been comical had it not been so tragically irritating. It reminded me of the infamous beach ball incident at the Stadium of Light in 2009, which was also a stroke of misfortune that proved to be decisive.From that point on, the home side seemed to retreat in an ultimately successful attempt to preserve their lead, while the visitors mustered a meek response that was never likely to amount to a serious attempt to grab an equaliser and work a way back into the match.
Just before the hour mark, Suarez and Henderson exchanged passes but the Uruguayan’s poor shot trickled harmlessly wide. With 22 minutes remaining Dalglish made a double substitution to try and stimulate a late push from the Carling Cup winners. Skipper Steven Gerrard replaced Craig Bellamy while tall Geordie striker Andy Carroll was inevitably jeered as he came on in place of the disappointing Charlie Adam, who has yet to convince many that he deserves his almost automatic starting berth in the first team.
The substitutes immediately linked-up, Carroll chesting a diagonal ball down for Gerrard, who took a touch before shooting straight at Mignolet. The untroubled and untested Sunderland keeper comfortably collected the ball to his chest. The home supporters then applauded Henderson off the field as Downing replaced him. Unfortunately, the former Villa and Middlesbrough winger couldn't spark life into the Reds' performance as their frustration persisted.
Nevertheless, in the dying stages Liverpool had one last chance to snatch a late leveller and steal a point from a game they deserved nothing from. Steven Gerrard stretched to cross into the area, where Kuyt came so close to getting something onto it but he failed to make a firm connection and the ball rolled wide. Had the Dutch striker got his head on it he, in all likelihood, would have rescued a point for the away side.
As it was, Liverpool returned to Merseyside with no points and low to no confidence, a desperate situation considering only a fortnight ago they were celebrating success in the Carling Cup final at Wembley. Annoyingly, that victory seems to have left the players feeling underwhelmed in the following League games and that showed in their performance and the result yesterday.
They may have had one eye on the big week coming up, commencing with the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Tuesday and concluding with the FA Cup quarterfinal at home to Stoke City on Sunday. However, there are no legitimate excuses for yesterday's display and the Reds' recent League form.
Dalglish has come under fire as a result as some have began to question his ability in the face of persistently disappointingly results. Personally, I still see the King as the right man for the job and he definitely deserves much more time to implement his style and continue to re-shape the squad, hopefully with some new signings in the summer.
One thing is for certain though; results must improve soon. Football is a results based business and Kenny can survive only so long on the enormous credit he has built up over the years.
What better way to start an upturn in form then with a convincing win against Everton in midweek!
YNWA
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