Against Liverpool’s £100m men, Sunderland proved themselves as the smartest spenders

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Federico Chiesa has started to forge a reputation as Liverpool’s latest super-sub because of his capacity to deliver crucial contributions in the opposition’s penalty area. As it was, they can still look down on Liverpool in the table and rue aspects of a night in which they hit the woodwork in both halves and when both scorers were Sunderland players.Virgil van Dijk’s backside played a crucial part in Chemsdine Talbi’s opener (AP)Because while Liverpool’s equaliser was celebrated by Florian Wirtz and appeared, at the 18th time of asking, to have belatedly opened his account for his new club, it was instead debited to Nordi Mukiele, his deflection diverting an off-target shot past Roefs.

But he is proof arrivals can settle swiftly and while Liverpool are beginning to see hints of why they spent so much on their £100m men, Alexander Isak and Wirtz, Sunderland’s massive overhaul has produced a hugely impressive side.Florian Wirtz thought he had finally bagged his first Premier League goal before it was debited to Nordi Mukiele (REUTERS)They were a unit; well coached, confident in possession, with touches of class. His exile from the side was not a one-game affair; for the first time in his Liverpool career, he was a substitute for successive matches.

But Liverpool were too narrow without Salah, with Szoboszlai tucking in. In the first half, they lacked ideas and creativity, movement and runners ahead of the ball.A glimpse of life without Mohamed Salah was decidedly dull (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)So Slot had to send an SOS to Salah at half-time.