Before kick off, Liverpool's players wore jackets with "96" on the back in remembrance of those who tragically lost their lives at the Hillsborough disaster, while Sunderland laudably posted a message on their scoreboard saying, "The Hillsborough tragedy had a profound effect on football as a whole and the thoughts of all of us at SAFC are with everyone affected by the tragic events of April 15th 1989. You'll Never Walk Alone." It was a touch of class distinguishing the Wearsiders from Manchester United fans, who continued to mockingly chant about the disaster at their match against Wigan Athletic on the weekend.
When the football began, Liverpool quickly gained the ascendancy. Shelvey and Suarez both dragged efforts wide from the edge of the box, before a weak back-header let Borini in on goal. Unfortunately, the Italian blasted at goal and hence Mignolet managed to block his effort relatively easily, and the rebound was skewed well wide by Shelvey. Mignolet then made a reflex save to deny Borini for a second time, before Fletcher exploited a defensive error from the otherwise flawless Glen Johnson to open the scoring for Sunderland. With the England international caught up-field, Gardner's driven cross between Reina and Skrtel found Fletcher, who tapped home from close range.
Impressive youngster Raheem Sterling was giving Sunderland debutant Danny Rose a torrid time down the right wing, and a change of pace almost caught the 22-year old out soon after the half hour mark. He resorted to fouling him to prevent Sterling proceeding any further, and frustratingly Suarez hit the subsequent free kick against the wall.The Uruguyuan then resorted to dirty tricks himself in an attempt to find a way back into the match for the Merseysiders. Although his disgraceful dive was no worse than Danny Welbeck's, which earned United a penalty at Old Trafford on Saturday, it still warranted the yellow card referee Atkinson flashed in his direction immediately after.
Liverpool entered the interval irritated at once again dominating a match but falling behind due to sloppy defending and clinical finishing from their opponents, which the Reds' strike force just doesn't seem capable of emulating. Nevertheless, they came out for the second half determined to reward their fans' loyalty and constant support with an equaliser.
Shelvey's shot from 30 yards out two minutes into the second half was a statement of intent, before Johnson, who clearly revels in the freedom granted to wing backs in Brendan Rodgers' flexible system, strode confidently into the box, cut inside and curled the ball against the crossbar. At the other end, Johnson defended well to stop Sessegnon, before Gerrard's shot grazed the outside of the post on the hour mark, as the Reds came continually closer to levelling the scoreline.
They eventually did find a leveller on 71 minutes. Great play from Sterling (who else?) crafted a goal scoring opportunity for Suarez, who pounced to equalise.
Ten minutes from time Liverpool could have clinched the winner their performance arguably deserved, but Mignolet made a good save from Shelvey's shot and Suarez couldn't manage to head the rebound into the net.This draw means that Liverpool haven't won any of their first four League games for the first time in over a century, which is obviously disappointing. A perhaps more important statistic, though, is the fact that Liverpool had lost the previous 14 away games when they had trailed 1-0 at half time. The heart and desire shown to get back into the match and claim at least one point was therefore encouraging, while the style of play and number of chances created bodes well for the future.
In a week when the tragic truth about the Hillsborough disaster was finally revealed, though, football fades into insignificance.
Justice for the 96- You'll Never Walk Alone
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