Bizarre Bent goal sinks Reds

A freak goal from Darren Bent was the difference as Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat in Sunderland.

Bent fired early in the game with a strike that deflected off an inflatable ball thrown onto the pitch by a fan.   

The result caps a miserable week for Rafa Benitez, who has endured calls from across the globe informing him of injuries to numerous players on international duty.

With no Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres, and Javier Mascherano having returned from South America just this morning, Benitez handed Jay Spearing a debut alongside Lucas Leiva in midfield.

 The Spaniard also selected a trio of centre-backs but it took Sunderland just three minutes to storm past Messrs Agger, Carragher and Skrtel to take the lead.   

It came after a Fabio Aurelio free-kick was cleared, with Andy Reid collecting possession down the right before crossing towards Bent.   

Everything the England hopeful hits right now is finding the net, though never has he scored a more bizarre goal than this. His powerful shot took a wicked deflection off a red inflatable ball, wrong-footing Pepe Reina. The Liverpool defenders protested furiously to the officials but the goal stood.   

The Reds almost responded on 13 minutes when slapdash defending allowed Aurelio to volley goalwards. Glen Johnson and Ryan Babel each tried to pounce when the shot was blocked but both found themselves surrounded by red and white shirts.   

Spearing and Aurelio both twice came close from distance in the first half, while Babel danced into a yard of space before thundering over on what was his 100th Liverpool appearance.   

It could have been 1-1, though the scoreboard could equally have read 2-0 to Sunderland on 22 minutes when Bent connected with a deep cross at the far post before heading into the grateful arms of Reina.   

A tremendous challenge from Phil Bardsley prevented his opposite No.2 Johnson going one-on-one with Craig Gordon after half an hour of what was becoming a really open encounter.   

Back at the other end Babel lost possession to Bardsley, who crossed for Bent at the near post. The No.11 glanced a header across goal but it struck the hoardings.   

Sunderland started the first half with a Bent goal straight from an Aurelio free-kick at the other end, and it was almost a case of deja vu after the restart but this time Bent's touch let him down.   

Bent then combined with Kenwyne Jones before rounding Reina, who made a remarkable recovery to block his goalbound effort.   

Reina was again beaten after a short header back from Martin Skrtel, but on this occasion Bent hit the post from an acute angle.   

Tempers were becoming flared on and off the pitch but at this point it was Sunderland who looked the more likely. Their cause wasn't helped, though, by the sight of Lee Cattermole and Jones being stretchered off in quick succession around the hour mark.   

Sunderland kept probing despite their injury woes and it took a superb intervention from Jamie Carragher to stop Steed Malbranque doubling their advantage.   

Liverpool carved out their first real chance of the second period on 68 minutes when Agger burst down the left. Sunderland failed to deal with his cross but the move ended when Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun went for the same ball and both ended on their backsides.   

Benayoun was becoming more involved and came close with a looping shot after finding a yard in the box.   

Substitute Jordon Henderson volleyed narrowly wide at the other end as Liverpool threw more men forward in search of an equaliser.   

Johnson forced a fine save from Gordon with a left-foot curler before first Kuyt and then Ngog were denied during seven minutes of stoppage time.   

The one consolation for Liverpool fans following a fourth defeat of the campaign was news of league leaders Chelsea losing at Aston Villa.