Sunderland's dogged first half performance counted for nought against Liverpool, as the Reds got back on track after some dodgy recent form.

Roy Keane made two changes, with the injured Dwight Yorke being replaced in midfield by the returning Michael Chopra, while Anthony Stokes was missing from the squad entirely, as Kieran Richardson came back from injury to play in the middle three of a five man midfield. Well, at least for the first six minutes, as he appeared to re-aggravate the hamstring injury he'd just come back from, forcing Rade Prica to come on earlier than anyone had surely intended.

The first half was very scrappy, as neither side was able to create any real chances. Javier Mascherano headed the ball straight at Craig Gordon in the eighth minute, while our long balls forward seemed to go straight to a Liverpool player. Nyron Nosworthy had to clear away a Pennant cross on 13 minutes. Liverpool's next effort game on 23 minutes, as Mascherano put a 30 yard shot just over Gordon's bar, coming from a free kick after Liam Miller had held back Steven Gerrard in midfield.

Dean Whitehead had our only shot of the first half, sending a side-footed effort straight at Pepe Reina moments later, before we had a scare when Kenwyne Jones took a bad bump to the ground as he and Mascherano tangled for the ball. Sunderland did end the first half with some good play though, perhaps making the home side panic after their recent poor performances in the league and cup.

Liverpool brought on Steve Finnan at half time, and the Reds had to be alert shortly after the restart as Phil Bardsley sent a crossfield pass just over the head of Prica, as Daryl Murphy saw his cross go too deep moments later. Rade Prica, who'd come on as a sub early in the first half, was taken off within ten minutes of the restart, following a largely forgettable performance, as Roy O'Donovan came on in his place.

Liverpool took control from there, and grabbed the lead on 56 minutes, when Peter Crouch's height was put to use, as he rose above Bardsley to head Jamie Carragher's cross past Gordon. Sunderland lost their rhythm after that, with Torres coming close moments later, before Bardsley had to head away another effort from Crouch off the line on 64 minutes.

The Reds doubled their lead on 68 minutes, when Crouch turned provider, this time sending the ball through for Fernando Torres to smash the ball past Craig Gordon. Sunderland had a strong penalty shout turned down when Jamie Carragher handled the ball in the box, but the game was beyond our reach, something that was solidified when Steven Gerrard narrowly beat Gordon with a spot kick following Nosworthy's foul on Pennant at the death.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Whitehead, Miller, Richardson (sub 6, Prica; sub 54, O'Donovan), Chopra (sub 82, Waghorn), Murphy, Jones. Subs: Fulop, McShane.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio (sub 46, Finnan), Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas (sub 80, Benayoun), Crouch (sub 82, Kuyt), Torres. Subs: Itandje, Babel.