Divock Origi gives Liverpool the lead (Video)

Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead against Sunderland late in the second half of a nervy Premier League match.

Liverpool have been a dominant attacking force for most of the 2016-17 season, racking up 30 goals in their first 11 games. But things had dried up for the Reds somewhat following the most recent international break.

In Liverpool’s first match back, they were held to 0-0 draw away at Southampton, despite creating several good openings in the second half. It appeared it might be a similar story against Sunderland, as the Reds struggled for openings throughout the first half and into the second.

But they made the breakthrough eventually in the 75th minute, as Dick Origi cut inside and curled a precise, back-post finish.

The overwhelming feeling in Anfiled was relief, as it seemed until Origi’s finish the Reds may drop points at home against one of the league’s worst teams this season. Liverpool will go top of the league, at least until the end of Chelsea’s match against Tottenham, if they win by two clear goals. But after the match they’ve had, they’ll happy with three points whatever the scoring margin.

Regardless of the result, manager Jurgen Klopp will be forced to sweat over the fitness of Philippe Coutinho, who went off with an injury in the first half. That it was his replacement, Origi, who scored the Reds’ breakthrough goal is an indication of the depth in this squad, but while Origi is talented, he can’t replicate the creative contribution of Coutinho.

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Sunderland, meanwhile, defended admirably for much of the match, but have ultimately been punished for their failure to cause Liverpool any problems at the other end of the pitch. The Black Cats look set to remain stuck on eight points, and could end the day back at the bottom of the table depending on how Swansea perform against Crystal Palace.