Virgil van Dijk’s header gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Sunderland, placing them again on monitor for a top-four end within the Premier League.
Liverpool suffered a heartbreaking defeat within the ultimate phases towards Manchester Metropolis final outing, however at the moment are inside three factors of qualifying for the Champions League.
Captain Van Dijk scored the profitable purpose within the 61st minute with a header from Mohamed Salah’s inswinging nook, ending Sunderland’s unbeaten run on the Stadium of Mild.
Sunderland might have taken an early lead, Brian Brobbey’s first-time shot was blocked by Ibrahima Konate earlier than Florian Wirths animated the visiting crew.
Wirtz broke by way of a crowded field and kicked the leg of the far publish, however his likelihood was sandwiched between two glorious stops from Robin Rufus to disclaim the Germany worldwide’s shot.
Sunderland made a shiny begin to the second half, however Liverpool finally discovered the breakthrough simply after the hour mark, with Khabib Diarra unable to stop Van Dijk’s header.
Hugo Ekitike’s downward header went agonizingly huge, whereas Salah’s shot in stoppage time went simply over the publish, however Liverpool had no regrets about their missed possibilities.
all three factors pic.twitter.com/WtbXoHJubi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 11, 2026
Knowledge report: Liverpool breach Sunderland’s fortress
It was Sunderland’s first residence loss since Could 2025 (0-1 to QPR), ending a 14-game unbeaten run at residence.
Nevertheless, this may occasionally not come as a shock as Liverpool are at the moment unbeaten of their final 9 away league video games (wins, two losses) towards promoted groups, with their final loss towards such opposition coming towards Bournemouth in March 2023.
They in all probability deserved the three factors, racking up an anticipated objectives (xG) of 1.95 from 23 makes an attempt, however solely three of them had been heading in the right direction. In distinction, Sunderland examined Alisson twice from 11 photographs (equal to 0.66 xG).
And it was a giant second for Van Dijk. He scored his twenty third Premier League purpose for Liverpool, one forward of Sami Hiyipia (22 objectives), making him the Reds’ most prolific defender within the competitors.
The Dutchman additionally excelled defensively, making a game-high 14 clearances.
