Liverpool salvaged a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Wednesday thanks to a deflected Florian Wirtz goal, but the defending Premier League winners put up another poor performance.
The Reds appeared to be heading for another defeat after Chemsdine Talbi’s opening, but they battled their way back to secure a point thanks to a moment of magic from their German summer signing.
Liverpool were uninspired once again in the first 45 minutes of the game, failing to create much in the final third, while Sunderland offered glimpses of the threat that has helped them enjoy such a positive start to the season.
The Black Cats had twice hit the woodwork through Trai Hume and Omar Alderete, and they eventually took the lead in the second half when Talbi was given too much time on the edge of the box to shoot, his effort deflecting off the retreating Virgil van Dijk and spinning into the far corner.
Liverpool struggled in attack as the visitors remained strong at the back, but they benefited from some bad luck for the visitors as Wirtz danced his way through the box and scuffed a shot that deflected off Nordi Mukiele and looped in for an own goal.
