Reuters
London, Dec 31: Christian Benteke condemned struggling Sunderland to a 1-0 defeat and sent Liverpool level on points with sixth-placed Manchester United in the last Premier League game of the year here Wednesday.
The Belgium striker broke through 22 seconds after the restart to bag his sixth goal of the campaign, the quickest second half goal in the Premier League this season. Nathaniel Clyne’s long pass was deflected on by Adam Lallana to the lurking Benteke, who tucked it away from inside the area with Sunderland’s defence caught napping.
Liverpool, who beat high-flying Leicester City 1-0 Saturday with another second half goal from Benteke, have 30 points from 19 games but Juergen Klopp’s side remained behind Manchester United on goal difference.
“Three points, really hard work,” was Klopp’s immediate verdict. “It’s not the best we can do, we know this, but we had to fight. Everyone wants to end the year positively, we can and Sunderland can’t but we take those points, go home, sleep two times and on to the next game.”
Goalkeeper Vito Mannone had produced several great saves in the first half including a stunning dive in the 26th minute to deflect a goalbound Roberto Firmino shot against the upright. But then the Benteke strike condemned the Black Cats to defeat.
Liverpool lost their limping captain Jordan Henderson midway through the second half but did not seem to be in trouble. Benteke could have made it 2-0 in stoppage time but, clear on goal, he shot straight at Clyde Mannone.
