Resolute Liverpool revive Champions League qualification hopes

SUNDERLAND, England — For over an hour at the Stadium of Light, it seemed like yet another challenging match for Liverpool. Arne Slot’s squad traveled to Wearside with the goal of achieving what no team had managed in the Premier League this season: defeat the newly promoted Sunderland at their home ground.

Arsenal and Manchester City had both attempted and failed to accomplish this feat. For 61 minutes, the hosts appeared poised to continue their excellent home form as they held strong against relentless Liverpool pressure.

But then Virgil van Dijk emerged, elevating above the rest to head in the decisive goal, sealing a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the Premier League champions. It wasn’t a standout performance, but it highlighted a collective display of determination that has often been lacking for Liverpool this season.

Remarkably, the loudest cheer from the away fans came in the closing minutes when Alexis Mac Allister executed a full-blooded tackle to usher the ball out for a throw-in near midfield. This was not an evening for elegance but rather a test of Liverpool’s resolve.

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This hard-fought victory could be crucial in the race for Champions League qualification, with Slot’s team now just three points behind fourth-place Manchester United and two behind Chelsea in fifth. The fact that both teams dropped points on Tuesday night, against West Ham United and Leeds United respectively, likely sharpened Liverpool’s focus ahead of their trip to the North East.

The late collapse against Manchester City at home over the weekend had ramped up external pressure on Slot. With star player Dominik Szoboszlai suspended due to a late red card, hope among fans had dwindled leading up to this match.

In the first half, fans who made the 170-mile journey from Merseyside could have been worried as Liverpool struggled to convert their dominance against a well-organized Sunderland. Florian Wirtz occasionally dazzled, forcing a superb save from Robin Roefs and hitting the post, yet the visitors still couldn’t find the net.

By halftime, Liverpool had controlled 68.2% possession and fired off 14 shots compared to Sunderland’s two. Yet given Slot’s side’s struggles with fine margins this season, it seemed a matter of time before they would be penalized for their missed opportunities.

yet, while doubts may have crept into the fans’ minds, the players on the pitch maintained their concentration. Having faced difficulties with set pieces throughout the season, it was a corner—Liverpool’s 10th of the night—that ultimately secured the lead.

although Mohamed Salah was again unable to find his best form, he still made history, with a dangerous cross that allowed him to tie Steven Gerrard for the most assists (92) for Liverpool in the Premier League era. Captain Van Dijk also made headlines, scoring with a powerful header that pushed him past Sami Hyypia to become the highest-scoring defender for the Reds in the competition, netting 23 goals.

Nevertheless, this challenging season has not been easy for Liverpool, as evidenced by makeshift right-back Wataru Endo, who was the seventh player to fill that role this season, leaving the pitch due to what Slot later described as a “serious” ankle injury. After limited appearances this term, Endo had played well before his unfortunate exit, replaced by the returning Joe Gomez.

Yet, instead of crumbling under more hardship, Liverpool rallied together. Ibrahima Konaté especially shone in defense. Just a few months prior, he faced criticism for a string of mistakes leading to Slot admitting he was “often at the crime scene.” yet, against the energetic Brian Brobbey, Konaté delivered an impressive performance, thwarting a clear goal-scoring opportunity with a superb last-ditch tackle in the second half.

Slot commented, “Impressed but not surprised,” regarding Konaté’s performance. “He symbolizes our season; he’s been incredibly unlucky. He’s played matches where he’s been fantastic for 89 minutes, only for one moment to derail everything. It doesn’t always reflect on him, yet that’s happened a few times, causing everyone to focus on his error.

Footballers make mistakes, and sometimes the ball simply doesn’t go in. I was just asked about the last 10 minutes, and the great thing was we didn’t concede any chances. Against City, we didn’t concede until the 84th minute, and then we let one in. So it was reassuring not to allow any chances, with Ibou being a significant contributor along with Virgil, but I appreciated the mentality of the entire team.”

in fact, that mentality will be tested again in the upcoming weeks and months as Liverpool push for Champions League qualifications. This season, progress has not been straightforward and has frequently been derailed by premature optimism.

For now, however, Liverpool has demonstrated their ability to withstand challenges and claim victory. If they hope to secure a place at Europe’s elite next season, they must keep proving they can emerge victorious.