<!--Article Start--> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="document jq_ColDocument jq_ShareArea"> <div class="tooltipContent"> <div class="scrollContent jq_Content jq_langdir tinyscrollbar doctooltip-y fontsize_0"> <div class="viewport"> <div class="overview"> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Christian Benteke was on target again as Liverpool won 1-0 at Sunderland and made a significant impact on the Premier League as they moved up four places and alongside Manchester United.</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Benteke's goal had earned them a 1-0 win over Leicester City to end a poor run of form by Jurgen Klopp's team and he claimed the decider at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland slipped to their fifth successive defeat.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It was an encouraging win for Liverpool, but Sunderland are in serious trouble and in danger of being cast adrift.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">They rarely threatened to find a way past Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Liverpool could have scored more, notably when Benteke went clear in the closing stages.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The goal he scored came only 22 seconds into the second-half after an opening 45 minutes when Roberto Firmino had been involved in a one-man attempt to put Liverpool ahead and improve his disappointing record in front of goal.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Brazilian had scored only once in 21 appearance, hitting the target in Liverpool's excellent 4-1 victory at Manchester City. He has still contributed much to Liverpool's season, but it represented a poor return for a midfield with a licence to join in attacks.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Firmino certainly looked in the mood to punish them further, particularly in the first-half when he went close to beating keeper Vito Mannone on three occasions.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">His first involvement gave no hint of the problems he was to cause Sunderland as his heavy touch deprived him of a chance created by a smart pass from his fellow-Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">For the rest of the opening half it was Mannone v Firmino, with the Sunderland keeper coming out on top.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Mannone, who had already saved a 30-yard effort from Nathaniel Clyne, produced a remarkable effort when he went to his left to touch Firmino's 25th minute shot against the post.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The second save came 11 minutes later when Mannone reacted well to a header from Firmino, preventing controversy since Sunderland were adamant that Clyne had handled before he cross from the right touchline.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Firmino was frustrated again when he was the beneficiary of a well-worked corner routine. He was left in space for a fierce shot that was goalbound before it failed to find its way through a crowded area.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Sunderland could offer little in response to Liverpool's first-half authority, although striker Jermain Defoe did give Mignolet a rare moment of concern with a 15th minute shot that the Liverpool keeper handled well.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Benteke slid in his goal immediately after the restart after Clyne's ball was played into his path by Adam Lallana.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It was his sixth goal against Sunderland - more than against any other Premier League club - and the 38th league goal they have conceded this season and Liverpool must have sensed they could add to that miserable record.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce's decision to sign Lorient centre-back Lamine Kone during the transfer window already looked like a timely move, but the loss of another defender means Kone is likely to go straight into the side when he arrives.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Kone was watching on the sidelines and will not have been impressed by what he witnessed, particularly from a Sunderland attack that continued to struggle to make an impact.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <!--Article End-->