Sunderland Draws with Liverpool at Anfield

Sunderland played against Liverpool at Anfield and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Sunderland's coach said his team played very well and surprised him. This result shows Sunderland's strength away from home.
By Newsroom | Football, England |

Sunderland achieved a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on December 4, 2025. The result, marked by a late equalizer from Sunderland, underscored a performance where the visiting side felt they controlled large parts of the game. This outcome raises questions about Liverpool's current form and Sunderland's resilience, particularly on the road.

Match Context and Key Events

The Premier League fixture saw Sunderland, a promoted side, facing the reigning champions who have shown inconsistent results in the current season. Liverpool, in sixth place, are struggling to secure Champions League qualification, being five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Sunderland, conversely, are seeking to maintain an unbeaten home record at the Stadium of Light, though their recent form has been variable, with a mix of wins, draws, and losses in their last ten league matches.

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Le Bris on progress, 'working-class' Hume and Liverpool - 1

The match itself saw Sunderland strike first through Chemsdine Talbi, whose shot deflected off Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and past goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Liverpool later equalized, securing the draw.

  • Goal Scorers: Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Liverpool (equalizer)

  • Venue: Anfield

  • Date: December 4, 2025

  • Sunderland's Form: Alternating between defeat and victory in last five matches.

  • Liverpool's Form: Lost eight Premier League games, twice last season's total.

Team Lineups and Personnel

Sunderland's head coach, Régis Le Bris, largely maintained a 4-2-3-1 formation, despite a previous heavy defeat to Arsenal. Key players Granit Xhaka and Jocelin Ta Bi were sidelined with ankle injuries. Bertrand Traore also faced a late fitness assessment due to a knee issue. The midfield saw Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra partnering, with Enzo Le Fee operating behind striker Brian Brobbey. Luke O'Nien made his Premier League debut in an away match at Anfield. Trai Hume was also brought into the side.

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Le Bris on progress, 'working-class' Hume and Liverpool - 2

Liverpool's lineup was not detailed in the provided materials.

Sunderland Starting XI (Predicted)Liverpool Starting XI
Roefs
Mukiele
Ballard
Alderete
Reinildo
Sadiki
Diarra
Hume
Le Fee
Talbi
Brobbey

Tactical Observations and Coach's Statements

Régis Le Bris expressed surprise at Sunderland's level of control during the match at Anfield. He stated, "we spoke at half-time and said that it was possible to push a little more because we played well – we just needed the belief that we could score." Le Bris also admitted, "We were maybe a bit surprised to have controlled the game so we told the players to believe and push more because it was possible to score." This sentiment was echoed by an observation from commentator Jamie Carragher, who noted during the match that Liverpool had been "awful".

Le Bris on progress, 'working-class' Hume and Liverpool - 3

Le Bris's tactical approach was described as astute, particularly in his setup for the match. The freedom afforded to Trai Hume in possession was noted, with a "30-yard pinged effort" highlighting his role. The interchangeability of Isidor and Brobbey was also a tactical consideration. Le Bris's decisions, such as replacing Brian Brobbey with Wilson Isidor, were a point of discussion, with one assessment suggesting the team's goal came after Brobbey's exit, implying he did not provide the necessary outlet.

Player Performances

Chemsdine Talbi was highlighted as "immense," receiving a player rating of 8/10 for his performance, including scoring Sunderland's goal. Luke O'Nien's Premier League debut at Anfield was also noted. Brian Brobbey, despite being a hero in a previous match, struggled to replicate his form and received a 5/10 rating.

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PlayerRating (vs Liverpool)Notes
Robin Roefs7
Nordi Mukiele6
Dan Ballard6
Omar Alderete7
Noah Sadiki6Partnered Diarra in midfield.
Habib Diarra6Partnered Sadiki in midfield.
Chemsdine Talbi8Scored Sunderland's goal, noted as "immense." Replaced by O'Nien.
Enzo Le Fee6Operated in the number 10 role. Replaced by Geertruida.
Brian Brobbey5Started first PL game. Struggled to replicate previous form. Replaced by Isidor.
Luke O’NienN/AMade Premier League debut. Came on for Talbi.
Wilson Isidor5Came on for Brobbey.
Lutsharel Geertruida5Came on for Le Fee.

Legacy and Club Philosophy

Despite player departures, including Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson, head coach Régis Le Bris insists their legacy and contributions should not be overlooked. He remains confident that their impact on the club's promotion from League One and their play-off final win will endure. This focus on enduring impact aligns with a broader discussion of working-class culture, which prioritizes authenticity, character, and belonging, concepts that may inform the club's identity and fan base.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the score between Sunderland and Liverpool?
The game ended with a score of 1-1.
Q: Where was the match played?
The match was played at Anfield, Liverpool's home stadium.
Q: Did Sunderland play well?
Yes, Sunderland's coach said they played very well and controlled much of the game, which surprised him.
Q: Who scored for Sunderland?
Chemsdine Talbi scored the goal for Sunderland.