Virgil van Dijk’s header secured a 1-0 victory for Liverpool against Sunderland, helping them to regain momentum in their pursuit of a top-four place in the Premier League.
After a disappointing loss to Manchester City previously, Liverpool is now just three points away from Champions League qualification.
Captain Van Dijk netted the decisive goal in the 61st minute, connecting with a corner delivered by Mohamed Salah, which ended Sunderland’s unbeaten streak at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland had the chance to score first when Brian Brobbey’s shot was blocked by Ibrahima Konate, while Florian Wirths added some flair to the visiting side’s efforts.
Wirtz surged through a packed box and struck the leg of the far post, but Robin Rufus’s two remarkable saves thwarted the German international’s attempts.
The second half began positively for Sunderland, but Liverpool broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, with Khabib Diarra unable to stop Van Dijk’s header.
Hugo Ekitike’s downward header just missed the target, and Salah’s shot in stoppage time soared past the post, yet Liverpool had no reason to regret their missed opportunities.
all three points pic.twitter.com/WtbXoHJubi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 11, 2026
Data report: Liverpool breaks Sunderland’s stronghold
This marked Sunderland’s first home defeat since May 2025 (0-1 to QPR), ending a commendable 14-match unbeaten streak at home.
This outcome might not be surprising, considering Liverpool is currently unbeaten in their last nine away league games against promoted teams, with their last loss in this context dating back to March 2023 against Bournemouth.
The Reds arguably deserved the win, amassing an expected goals (xG) of 1.95 from 23 shots, although only three were on target. In comparison, Sunderland managed to challenge Alisson with just two shots from their 11 attempts, leading to an xG of 0.66.
This was a significant milestone for Van Dijk, as he recorded his 23rd Premier League goal for Liverpool, surpassing Sami Hyypiä’s 22 goals and making him the club’s most prolific defender in the competition’s history.
Defensively, the Dutchman also stood out, recording a game-high 14 clearances.
Fan Take: This victory is crucial for Liverpool as they strive for Champions League qualification, a key target for any top club. For soccer fans, it emphasizes the ongoing competition at the elite level and the importance of consistent performances in the final stretch of the season.
