Arne Slot has said he does not believe his job security hinges on Liverpool securing Champions League qualification this spring but the Dutchman would much prefer not to put that assertion to the test.
On this evidence there seems a decent chance the Champions’s manager will not have to. In finally ending Sunderland’s proud unbeaten home record in the Premier League this season, sixth placed Liverpool left themselves only three points adrift of fourth placed Manchester United and two behind fifth placed Chelsea.
Régis Le Bris’s intelligent and supremely well organised side did not surrender lightly but, with Florian Wirtz continuing to go from strength to strength, Liverpool just about deserved to edge a match decided by Virgil van Dijk’s header from Mo Salah’s second half corner. The only downside for Slot was the nasty looking ankle injury sustained by Wataru Endo.
It all began with both teams eyeing each other rather warily at a rain sodden Stadium of Light. With no one seeming to want to take any real risks too early the first half opened in mutually cautious, thoroughly cagey fashion.
Although Liverpool had quite a bit of possession it initially foundered in the face of a meticulously organised Sunderland defence. Then, with around 30 minutes on the clock, Wirtz met Alex Mac Allister’s pass took a steadying touch and decided to try his luck from the edge of the area.
