RATINGS V L'POOL

Sunderland battled to a well-earned draw away to the defending Premier League champions. We took the lead in fact, via Chemsdine Talbi with around 25 minutes of regular time left to go. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite hold on for the win but I don’t think you can complain too much when you take a point at Anfield.

ROBIN ROEFS: 9/10

Made four saves and commanded his box excellently, he was only beaten by a shot that took a deflection off of Nordi Mukiele. He almost won us the game too, sending a fantastic ball towards Wilson Isidor in the dying stages. There was one error, when he passed directly into the path off one of their players about halfway through the first half but he made up for it with a great save.

NORDI MUKIELE: 8.5/10

He’s been credited with an own goal (which I think is very harsh) but he performed brilliantly. He bailed out Trai Hume a few times and always looked assured.

DAN BALLARD: 8.5/10

Also put in a great shift, he never looked out of place. He helped carry the ball forward at times too, especially in the first half.

OMAR ALDERETE: 9/10

Defensively top notch and so very nearly gave us the lead in the second half, striking the post with a good header.

REINILDO: 9/10

Absolutely fantastic, drew a lot of fouls and gave their winger hell for 90 minutes.

TRAI HUME: 7/10

Dithered on the ball for a moment too long at one point, giving them a great chance to open the scoring. He did play as a quasi-winger though, which is never easy (especially away to Liverpool). Nearly scored just beyond the half hour mark with an audacious effort that their goalkeeper had to tip off the bar. I wasn’t always sure about him, notably so in the first half.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8.5/10

Did his job well and was practically playing as a centre back at times. He did, a couple of times, knock the ball up when I think he should have kept it down on the ground, that’s nit picking though.

NOAH SADIKI: 8.5/10

Ran his socks off, as always, it just never seemed to happen for him going forward. Defensively superb though.

CHEMSDINE TALBI: 8/10

I really want to go higher but I don’t think I can. He did fantastically to give us the lead but it was his error that caused the equaliser. I just think he lost focus, which is somewhat understandable. He loves a goal in a big away game though.

ENZO LE FEE: 9/10

He looked dangerous under difficult circumstances and assisted our goal. Can’t complain too much with that, even if he did squander a free kick in the first half.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 7/10

Got unlucky not to have been awarded more free kicks and, on a slightly different day, the ball falls to him properly and he scores.

SUBS:

WILSON ISIDOR: 7/10

Yes he missed that huge chance at the end but it wasn’t quite as easy as it looked, considering he’s facing one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Even if he did have a pop earlier, there’s every chance it’s saved anyway. Maybe a bit too weak.

LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA: 6.5/10

Came on late and looked fine.

LUKE O’NIEN: N/A

Came on for a few minutes to see out the point and looked perfectly decent.