Liverpool got back on track in their push for a top-four finish as Virgil van Dijk’s header earned a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.
Arne Slot’s side suffered a heartbreaking late defeat to Manchester City last time out, but they edged to a much-needed victory on Wednesday.
After a first half in which Florian Wirtz struck a post, Liverpool eventually found the breakthrough just after the hour as Van Dijk glanced in Mohamed Salah’s corner.
Watch: Van Dijk's winner against Sunderland
The skipper securing the points 💥 #SUNLIV pic.twitter.com/15IQ5eTY6X
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 12, 2026
Sunderland, who were once again without Granit Xhaka, attempted to fight back late on but could not find an equaliser as their unbeaten home record in this season's Premier League was ended.
Liverpool stay sixth but move three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, while Sunderland remain 11th.
How the match unfolded
Brian Brobbey almost profited from a quick counter-attack early on, but his first-time shot was brilliantly blocked by Ibrahima Konate in front of Alisson.
Wirtz sparked the game into life on the half-hour mark; his dipping shot forced Robin Roefs into a smart stop before he poked a low strike across goal that rebounded off the foot of the right post.
The German then saw a header smothered by Roefs before the break, but Sunderland were on top at the start of the second half, with Trai Hume and Nordi Mukiele both firing off target.
Liverpool soon regained the upper hand, though, and in the 61st minute, Salah, having seen an attempt deflected behind, whipped in a dangerous corner that was met by Van Dijk, with Habib Diarra unable to clear it off the line.
Hugo Ekitike headed wide and Salah flashed a volley just beyond the post as Liverpool failed to double their advantage, but Sunderland’s comeback efforts proved fruitless at the other end.
Sunderland’s fortress finally breached
Sunderland have alternated between losses and wins in recent weeks, including a defeat to league leaders Arsenal last time out, with consistency escaping them.
And even though they have turned their home ground into a fortress this season, they struggled to assert themselves in the first half against a Liverpool side eager to get back on course after Sunday’s drama against Man City.
Brobbey perhaps should have done better with his early chance, having got in front of Konate, but the defender slid in to ensure the forward’s first-time shot did not get close to Alisson.
They did well to stifle Liverpool’s attack, however, ensuring they stayed in the game to set up a much stronger start to the second half. They failed to find their range, but it added a renewed sense of positivity among the home faithful.
The optimism dwindled slightly after the goal, but it did not take long for Sunderland’s belief to grow again, with Hume leading the charge, though he failed to test Alisson with any of his attempts.
Shouts for a penalty fell on deaf ears after Brobbey tangled with Konate in the box, and in the end, Sunderland just lacked that golden final touch that could have preserved their unbeaten home record.
Their attention switches away from the league at the weekend, as they travel to Oxford United in the FA Cup.
Liverpool get the job done
Slot admitted this is the toughest season he has had “by a mile”, and with just one win in their seven Premier League matches in 2026 prior to this one, a trip to the Stadium of Light would likely have been far down on the list of Liverpool’s ideal venues.
The Reds dominated possession in the first half, but it was not until Wirtz stepped up in the final 15 minutes before the break that Liverpool looked likely to find a breakthrough.
He was the spark, popping up all over the final third to tie Sunderland up in knots. Roefs was equal to it, but when he was beaten, he could breathe a sigh of relief as the woodwork came to the rescue.
It was Van Dijk who got the reward Liverpool’s pressure deserved, but their elation did not last long, with another injury being added to their long list as Wataru Endo – in for the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai as another makeshift right-back – was stretchered off moments later.
Most importantly for Liverpool, who have made a habit of conceding very late goals, they held out for a clean sheet on Alisson’s 250th Premier League start, giving them some defensive confidence ahead of an FA Cup match with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Club reports
Sunderland report | Liverpool report
PL form and fixtures
Key facts
Sunderland have lost their first home match across all competitions since May 2025 (0-1 v Queens Park Rangers), putting an end to a 14-match unbeaten run (W7 D7).
Salah provided his 92nd assist in the Premier League for Liverpool, moving him level with Steven Gerrard with the most assists in the competition for the Reds.
Liverpool are now unbeaten across their last nine away Premier League matches against newly promoted sides (W7 D2), with their last defeat coming against AFC Bournemouth in March 2023 (0-1), whilst the Reds won their first league match at the Stadium of Light since December 2015.
Van Dijk's goal was his 23rd in the Premier League for Liverpool, moving him one clear of Sami Hyypia (22) as the defender with the most goals in the competition for the Reds.