Liverpool win at Sunderland as Van Dijk header ends hosts’ home record and lifts Reds closer to top five in Premier League table

Liverpool Football Club secured a Liverpool win at Sunderland on 11 February 2026 at the Stadium of Light, becoming the first side to defeat Sunderland at home in the Premier League this season after a disciplined 1-0 victory.

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Virgil van Dijk, captain of Liverpool, scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute, heading in a corner delivered by Mohamed Salah. Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra attempted to clear the effort on the goal line, but the ball crossed into the net.

Liverpool controlled much of the contest, particularly in the first half, enjoying 68 per cent possession and creating a series of openings.

Florian Wirtz was central to the attacking threat, forcing a save from goalkeeper Robin Roefs, striking the post, and seeing a header kept out before the interval.

Despite sustained pressure, Sunderland’s defence held firm and the teams went into the break level.

Sunderland showed greater intent after the restart, with captain Trai Hume firing over the crossbar, but Liverpool maintained their attacking rhythm and eventually converted from their tenth corner of the match.

The win was tempered by an injury to Wataru Endo.

The midfielder, making his first league start of the season, had impressed by winning more duels than any other player before landing awkwardly on his ankle shortly after the goal. Joe Gomez replaced him as Endo was carried off on a stretcher.

The result marked only Liverpool’s second league victory of 2026. The club remains sixth in the table but moves to within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea. Sunderland stays 11th, six points behind Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk has now scored 23 Premier League goals for Liverpool, the most by any defender for the club in the competition. Mohamed Salah’s assist was his 92nd in the league for Liverpool, equalling the record set by Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool also became only the second team this season, after Manchester City, to keep a clean sheet at Sunderland.

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Sunderland will host Oxford United in the FA Cup on Sunday, while Liverpool is set to face Brighton in the same competition on Saturday.