Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland: Bore draw

Brendan Rodgers' decision to rest Steven Gerrard failed to
pay dividends as even the Liverpool captain's emergence off the
bench failed to inspire his side to break down a resolute
Sunderland.
Tuesday's must-win Champions League tie at home to Basel,
followed by a trip to Old Trafford, meant this was a game
which was always earmarked for the 34-year-old midfielder
to sit out.
In protecting the midfielder's legs for supposedly greater
challenges Rodgers placed the emphasis on those who, in years
to come -- if not before should Gerrard not agree a new
deal by the summer - will have to replace the skipper.
They struggled to live up to expectations and, although
Gerrard's appearance with 23 minutes to go lifted his team-
mates, particularly Raheem Sterling, they still could not find
the breakthrough and had to settle for a point in a 0-0 draw.
Only Aston Villa and Burnley have now scored fewer goals
at home, where Liverpool have won just three of eight
matches.
Sunderland strung out a long line of blue shirts across their
midfield whenever Liverpool were in possession in their half,
which was understandable considering they had just lost 4-1 to
Manchester City after a win and three successive draws had
given their season some stability.
They were content to allow players like Liverpool's two
centre-backs Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure and midfielder
Lucas Leiva to have the ball, confident the chances of them
doing any damage was minimal.
It put greater onus on the creative attacking trio of Sterling,
Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana - plus full-backs Glen
Johnson and Alberto Moreno - to find a way through, but
they struggled to make inroads.
In fact, they were nullified so much Sunderland had the better
of the opening exchanges, with Connor Wickham twice having
claims for a penalty.
His first shout, when he tangled with Skrtel after Johnson
had slipped, was the more genuine of the two, but referee
Neil Swarbrick was not interested in either.
Liverpool fired in plenty of crosses, but more often than not
there was no-one in the right position to take advantage.
That was highlighted when Sterling stood one up to the far
post for Rickie Lambert to nod back towards the penalty spot
-- exactly where an advanced Gerrard would be expected to
be charging in.
Unfortunately his replacement, Coutinho, was 10 yards outside
the area as his tendency to play a much deeper version of the
number 10 role meant he was unable to capitalise.
Lambert had earlier headed over from Lallana's cross,
fashioned by a piece of nifty footwork to bamboozle Anthony
Reveillere, while Coutinho's all-too-rare flash of pace and
incisiveness saw Costel Pantilimon save low at his right-hand
post.
The best chance of the half came with the final touch when
Wes Brown planted a free header high into the Kop from
Sebastian Larsson's corner.
Sunderland, sensing their chance, began the second half
positively, with Jordi Gomez's shot deflected just wide and
Wickham volleying across goal and wide after Skrtel could
only flick on Adam Johnson's corner.
Sterling came to life again midway through the second half
and Liam Bridcutt was booked for bringing him down just as
he was about to burst into the area, but Jordan Henderson
wasted the resulting free-kick.
The Liverpool winger then teed up Lucas for a shot from
distance, but Pantilimon comfortably held on.
Gerrard was sent for with 23 minutes remaining, with Lallana
making way, and his deep cross and Lambert's knockdown saw
Coutinho's fierce volley blocked by Bridcutt.
The Brazil international then fired straight at Pantilimon from
a good position after Sterling's brilliant dribble had put
Sunderland's defence on the back foot and was immediately
replaced by Lazar Markovic.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who had been relatively
untroubled, had to be at full stretch to tip Gomez's shot behind,
but it was Sterling who was suddenly the real threat and he
could have had a penalty when another incisive run ended with
him on the floor after a challenge from Brown.
Unfortunately the most telling run made by Gerrard, who was
immediately shackled by Lee Cattermole, sent on by Black Cats
boss Gus Poyet, came when he gave the ball away to
Wickham and he had to sprint into his own area to win it
back.
Liverpool will hope he -- and with it their cutting edge --
heads in the opposite direction come Tuesday against the
Swiss visitors when anything other than three points will end
their Champions League participation.

ESPN