A controversial solitary strike from Darren Bent left the visitors empty-handed for the fourth time this season, a defeat that drops the Merseysiders down the eighth. Liverpool were without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the Reds lost 1-0 away to Sunderland. The pair had failed to recover in time for the Premier League meeting at the Stadium of Light after having collected knocks on international duty.

With just five minutes on the clock Darren Bent struck an Andy Reid cross goalwards, but as Johnson came across to clear, the ball cannoned off a stray beach ball and past Pepe Reina. The Liverpool players protested to the referee, but the goal was given.

At the other end Spearing shot just over as Liverpool looked to recover from the early blow. But it Sunderland who were on top as Bent missed a couple of chances to double the home side’s lead.

The Reds came to life in the second-half, but for all their possession it was the Black Cats who created the best chances. Bent struck a post and Henderson fired just wide as in-form Sunderland posed a threat on the break.

Liverpool threw everything at Sunderland during the seven minutes of stoppage-time added by the referee but Gordon in the home goal made an excellent double from Kuyt and Ngog.

It was a strange goal to lose to and according to ex-Premier League referee Graham Poll, speaking on Radio Five Live, the goal should not have counted and a drop-ball should have been given in its place.


- Match Stats: Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, McCartney (Henderson, 46) Malbranque, Cana, Cattermole (Zenden, 58), Reid, Bent, Jones (Campbell, 66)

Booked: Cana, Reid

Goals: Bent 5

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel (Voronin, 71), Carragher, Babel (Ngog, 81), Lucas, Aurelio, Spearing (Mascherano, 71), Benayoun, Kuyt

Booked: Kuyt