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This video can not be played Van Dijk scores winner as Liverpool beat Sunderland At a glance Liverpool become first team to win at Sunderland this season Virgil van Dijk scores only goal of game with second-half header Arne Slot's side still sixth but cut gap to fifth-placed Chelsea to two points Sunderland are 11th - six points behind Liverpool Liverpool put in an impressive away performance to become the first team to win at Sunderland in the Premier League this season. Virgil van Dijk's second-half header secured all three points for the visitors, who dominated large parts of the match at the Stadium of Light. The Liverpool captain nodded on a corner from Mohamed Salah just after the hour mark - and Sunderland's Habib Diarra, who was on the goalline, could only help the ball into the back of the net. Liverpool were impressive in the first half and dominated the ball - with Arne Slot's side having 68% of the possession. Having initially struggled to find a way through Sunderland's solid defence, it was Florian Wirtz who came closest to breaking the deadlock. On the half-hour mark, the German's right-footed strike from outside the box was well saved by Robin Roefs who parried it out for a corner. Minutes later, Wirtz struck the post with a left-footed effort from inside the area before having a header saved by Roefs. Liverpool cranked up the pressure although Sunderland did well to ensure the match was still goalless at half-time. Regis Le Bris' side only had five touches in the visitors' box in the first half. The hosts improved after the break, with skipper Trai Hume firing over, but it was the visitors who took a deserved lead when Van Dijk scored his fourth goal of the season. Liverpool held on for an important win, but their evening was slightly marred by a worrying injury to Wataru Endo, who was filling in at right-back because of Dominik Szoboszlai's suspension. The Japan international made his first league start of the season and was defensively solid, winning the most duels (seven) of any player in the match before he fell awkwardly on his ankle shortly after Liverpool took the lead. Endo was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Joe Gomez - who has only just returned from injury. After the game Slot said of Endo: "We have to wait and see, but we expect not to have him for quite a long time. " Victory for Liverpool - only their second in the league in 2026 - helped them cut the gap to fifth-placed Chelsea to two points, while Sunderland are 11th. This video can not be played 'Small margins' defined Sunderland defeat - Le Bris Much has been made of Sunderland's home record this season - and rightly so. They went into this game with seven wins and five draws at the Stadium of Light in the top flight. Liverpool's quality meant they were always going to have more of the ball but Le Bris' side were well structured and initially made it difficult for the visitors to break through. However, the gaps did open up as the game went on and Sunderland were perhaps fortunate Slot's side were not more clinical. Sunderland boss Le Bris made one change from their defeat at Arsenal with Nilson Angulo coming in for Chemsdine Talbi down the left. Perhaps that was a change made with Liverpool's right-back crisis in mind - but Angulo rarely asked questions of Endo. In possession, Sunderland missed the calming influence of Granit Xhaka, who has an ankle injury and watched on from the stands. Ultimately, the hosts did not do enough going forward - with Alisson rarely threatened on his 250th Premier League appearance for Liverpool - but can take plenty of pride from a memorable home run. This video can not be played 'Calm & composed' - how Wirtz pulled the strings for Liverpool Credit where it is due - this was a rare night of joy on the road for Liverpool in what has been a disappointing campaign thus far. They battled well against an organised Sunderland side and more than deserved the three points. Sunderland raced out of the blocks but Liverpool did well to withstand some early pressure and were by far the better side for most of the first half. They were comfortable in possession, with Wirtz at the heart of everything, and perhaps the only criticism can be their failure to make that dominance count. In the end, it took a set-piece for Slot's side to break the deadlock - with Liverpool's 10th corner of the game resulting in Van Dijk's goal. The Dutchman now has more goals (23) than any other Liverpool defender in the Premier League era. Salah's struggles in front of goal are becoming a concern, but he provided his 92nd Premier League assist for Liverpool, moving him level with Steven Gerrard for their most in the competition. The fact Sunderland rarely threatened is also testament to Liverpool's defence, which saw two changes as Endo and Robertson came in for Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez. Manchester City are the only other side to have kept a clean sheet at Sunderland this season. Liverpool have not performed like reigning champions often enough this term, but on this wet night in the north east they turned up and delivered a display befitting of that status. This video can not be played Liverpool showed 'character' to win at Sunderland - Slot Have your say on Sunderland's performance What did you make of Liverpool's display? Sunderland travel to Oxford United in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday (14: 00 GMT kick-off) while Liverpool host Brighton in the cup on Saturday (20: 00). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 11th February 2026 at 22: 13 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool High chance of scoring Medium chance of scoring Low chance of scoring Dominant period Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute. Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions Sunderland are winless in their last 11 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L6) since a 1-0 home win in March 2012 thanks to a Nicklas Bendtner strike. All three of Liverpool’s Premier League defeats to Sunderland have come away from home, though they’re unbeaten in their last five visits to the Stadium of Light (W3 D2). Sunderland have scored just 19 goals in 33 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (0. 6 per game). Of all teams to face an opponent 30+ times, only Middlesbrough (0. 5 vs Chelsea) have a lower goals-per-game average. Sunderland have won three of their last five Premier League home games against the reigning champions (L2), including the last two against Chelsea (May 2016) and Leicester City (December 2016). Only six teams have ever won 3+ in a row, most recently Chelsea between 2016 and 2020. Though Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games against promoted sides (W14 D5), they’ve drawn each of the last four. They last went five without a win against promoted teams between January and October 1981 (D3 L2). Sunderland are winless in their last eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (D3 L5), with their only goal in this run coming in this season’s reverse fixture against Liverpool. Liverpool have lost just one of their last 28 midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Premier League games (W19 D8), going down 2-0 at Everton in April 2024. Six of their last eight midweek games have been drawn (W2), with both so far in 2026 finishing 0-0 (vs Leeds and Arsenal). Sunderland are unbeaten in all 12 of their Premier League home games this season (W7 D5). It’s the longest run by a promoted side from the start of a top-flight season since 1977-78, when Nottingham Forest remained unbeaten in all 21 en route to winning the league title. Having won their first two away league games this season, Liverpool have since won just two of their last 10 on the road (D3 L5). They’ve also conceded 21 goals away from home this term, more than bottom side Wolves (20). Chemsdine Talbi was on target for Sunderland in their 1-1 draw at Anfield in the reverse fixture. The last player to score in both league meetings against Liverpool for the Black Cats was Stan Cummins in 1980-81. Second Half begins Sunderland 0, Liverpool 0. First Half ends, Sunderland 0, Liverpool 0. Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time. Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Nilson Angulo. Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Trai Hume. Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Robin Roefs. Attempt blocked. Andy Robertson (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cody Gakpo. Attempt blocked. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Florian Wirtz. Attempt saved. Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Alisson Becker (Liverpool). Assisted by Noah Sadiki. Attempt saved. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Robin Roefs (Sunderland). Foul by Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool). Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Omar Alderete. Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland). Foul by Andy Robertson (Liverpool). Habib Diarra (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.