Three positives from Liverpool versus Sunderland

Liverpool were held to a draw by Sunderland at Anfield yesterday, and will feel they should have won it. However, there were some silver linings from the stalemate..

Back to basics

For perhaps the first time this season, the Reds looked better at the back than they did in attack.

Liverpool limited Sunderland to one big chance and six shots on target, with four of those coming from outside the box. These chances amounted to an expected goals (xG) of just 0.41, with Sunderland's goal coming courtesy of an extremely fortunate deflection.

On an individual level, Liverpool's defence also performed better. Van Dijk won 11 of his 13 duels, Konate came out on top in 8 of his 12 duels and neither were dribbled past at any point.

Since restoring Gomez to the back line, the Reds have conceded a combined xG of 0.7, albeit against West Ham and Sunderland, two favourable fixtures on paper.

But when you are a team that let in ten goals across three games as recently as last month, any improvements in the defensive game are hugely welcome.

Tough opposition

Sunderland may have been the bookies' favourites to go down at the start of this season, but the Black Cats have fast become one of the league's sternest challenges.

The newly promoted side currently sit in sixth place and have lost three games less than the Reds, accruing a goal difference that is superior by four.

They have proven especially adept at clashing against the bigger teams, grabbing wins against Chelsea and draws at the Emirates and now Anfield.

So while this fixture may have looked like a certain win back in August, the truth is that a draw against Sunderland is not the worst result in the world, especially with the race for top four proving so disruptive with both Chelsea and Brighton losing ground this week.

Back to full fitness

Another bonus from yesterday's stalemate was that Gomez, Isak and Wirtz all added some much-needed minutes to their tanks.

The 28 year-old looked strong and comfortable at right-back, a sight for sore eyes after his constant injury woes over the past few seasons. His withdrawal upon the hour mark was likely a precautionary measure, as Slot will be keen to manage the minutes of a player who can be an incredibly valuable asset for a shaky defence this season.

Wirtz seems to have hit the ground running after recovering from injury, completing 165 out of the past 180 minutes and looking extremely sharp. It was the German's moment of genius in the box that led to the equalising goal, building off a similarly inspired performance against West Ham last weekend.

Isak was far less involved yesterday, and there are some serious question marks over Slot's game plan, which is failing to get the elite striker involved in attacking play. In terms of fitness, however, it is very encouraging that the Swede stayed on the pitch for 85 minutes, as he continues the road to full fitness.

In a season as bizarre and perplexing at this one, we'll take the small wins!