Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool's stuttering season took a turn for the worse as they were beaten by a Sunderland side who leapfrog them in the Premier League with the win.

The Black Cats took the lead when a Darren Bent shot was allowed to stand after deflecting in off a balloon.
 
But the home side were inspired and Bent glanced a header just wide before hitting the post with an angled shot.
 
Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon pulled off a double save from Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog late on to secure the win.
 
Liverpool were lethargic and looked at unease with a 5-4-1 formation manager Rafael Benitez had opted for as he tried to cope with injuries and tiredness after the recent internationals.
 
Benitez was probably hoping that full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio as well as wingers Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun would have more of an impact to give his tactics more of an attacking impact.
 
But Sunderland did not let Liverpool settle and aggressively took control of the game before being rewarded with the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances.
 
Bent's shot went in off a balloon and - to compound Liverpool's misery - it was one punched on to the pitch by one of their own fans.
 
Sunderland were the opposite of Liverpool as they showed the greater desire and dynamism, with the midfield axis of Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole proving a forceful and tireless presence.
 
The home side's manager had challenged his players to produce the consistency in performance which earned an impressive 2-2 draw at Manchester United last time out and they did not disappoint.
 
Liverpool were limited to long range strikes and Babel, Aurelio and Premier League debutant Jay Spearing each put efforts wide as Sunderland's defence stood firm.
 
Bent nearly added to Sunderland's lead when he got on the end of a Phil Bardsley cross - after Reina had missed the ball - but the striker glanced a header went agonisingly wide.
 
He also pounced on a Martin Skrtel's headed passback only to nod past Reina and shoot against the outside of the post from a tight angle.
 
Sunderland suffered the loss of influential duo Cattermole and striker Kenwyne Jones but coped admirably as they held off a Liverpool side lacking ideas.
 
Benitez and Bruce exchanged angry words on the touchline with the Spaniard accusing Sunderland of time wasting as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
 
Referee Mike Jones allowed seven minutes of injury time and Liverpool nearly took advantage only for Gordon to keep out Kuyt's drive before blocking the follow-up from David Ngog.
 
The views expressed in this story do not necessarily reflect the views of Liverpool Football Club.