No penalties conceded, the first clean sheet duly arrives and upfront Liverpool find the net twice to get the second set of three points to amass seven out of the availabe nine points from the first three games.
Sunderland away from home is not the most glamorous of fixtures, and it is puzzling how such fixture has been given the importance of being played in the early afternoon. On second thoughts though, such early kick-off's are becoming the norm rather than the exception for Liverpool and the reds are yet to have a three p.m. kick-off. Still, as long Liverpool continue winning, such unconventional times will be well forgotten.
Facing a team managed by Roy Keane is never a stroll in the park but as expected Liverpool always had the upper hand and imposed themselves on the Black Cats. The first minute mark has not yet passed when Andriy Voronin was already pouncing on an erroneous back-pass and forcing their nine million keeper Craig Gordon coming off his line to thwart the Ukranian's shot and a dream start for Liverpool.
Momo Sissoko had a positive pre-season but he only had his first start yesterday. Having had a difficult second season, marred with injuries and uneasy comebacks, his future looked suspect for this Malian energy box. While maintaining his energy levels, his passing was wasteful and flawed to say the least and looked comfortable with a ball in his feet as much as an escapee under the glare of a big camera.
Yesterday he was completely different though, and gave a man of the match display which was the more welcomed with Steven Gerrard's absence. He fought for, and won every ball as usual, but also caressed the ball and even had the audacity to take on players and subsequently beat them. His first goal and Liverpool's 7,000th in the Premier League were the least both deserved. Rafael Benitez trust and faith in him never subsided and was publicly manifested with the offering of an extended contract in the Summer. Momo's vicious low shot was too much for their keeper and ensured a more comfortable team talk for the boss at half-time.
The second forty-five minutes didn't have the same almost explosive start as the first but soon Liverpool regained control again and the only worrying aspect was the inability to put the game to bed. Sunderland had a couple of attempts at Liverpool's goal but they were more hopeful ones rather than serious. In the meantime, along with Momo Sissoko's first we had the first time sight of Jamie Carragher wanting to get out of a football pitch as an unfortunate clash with Pepe Reina is suspected to have broken one of his ribs.
On the 87th minute, Andriy Voronin wrapped up the match by a well taken goal. The lad on a free ensured that three priceless points go Liverpool's way.