No Gerrard, No Torres - we are at Stadium of Light

The ball falls to the man who cant do any wrong. He packs punch on it, and Glen Johnson's outstretched foot deflects it enough to give Reina no chance. Sunderland had scored on their first real attack. Andy Reid had done a wonderful job to ward off the challenge from Skrtel before crossing across the face of the goal. Liverpool found themselves behind a goal within the first 5 minutes. TV replays later show that there was a balloon in the 18-yard box that went about deflecting the shot into Reina's net. But the rule doesn't seems to favor the defending team.

On the 13th minutes, Kuyt did well to get the ball. There was a melee and Sunderland needed a couple of blocks before Craig Gordon cleared the ball. Babel and Johnson had shooting opportunities. On the evidence of this play, Kuyt was clearly going to be the one making goal scoring chances for others in the team. Liverpool needed to aim for 3 points after Aston Villa had done the damage to Chelsea. 2-1 scoreline at the Villa Park was all the spark ideally expected by Liverpool off the pitch.

17th minute Babel manipulated the ball with a clever touch of the feet, and got the shot between a couple of defenders. However the shot was never troubling Gordon in the Sunderland goal. Jay Spearing had been drafted into the Liverpool midfield. The youngster is widely expected to be a second Gerrard for the team from Anfield.

Bent had another good opportunity to add another but Reina got behind the ball from the back post header. Benayoun took on the left side of the park to cut inside the 18-yard box on the 26th minute. All he could finally get was a corner. From the ensuing clearance, Johnson missed a first time shot. Liverpool was awarded a free kick right outside the 18-yard box. Aurelio stepped up with his lethal left foot. The ball was however a yard out from the right hand side post. The Brazilian was expected to test the goalkeeper at least. Kuyt then earned himself a very rare yellow card for a not so good challenge in the air.

Jay Spearing didn't do any favor to Benitez by playing an almost blind pass into his defense. It was rushing for Kewyne Jones more than anybody else. Jamie Carragher had to make a desperate tackle before the ball was cleared. 2 minutes later, Jay Spearing had a shot towards goal but could not keep it down. Johnson made a surging run down the right flank for the Reds. The ability to pick out a pass was needed but the England international could not just make it. Things were looking set for a rather hard half-time talk from Benitez. The midfield battle was not being won by a team that boasts of the talents of Gerrard and Mascherano. On the evidence so far, the Argentinian was set to come out in the second half.

In the last minute of first half, Johnson again fashioned a corner. And there could be no better time for a Liverpool equalizer. But the corner was cleared away. Sunderland thus went into the interval with a one goal lead. Controversy might be involved but Liverpool were not clearly running riot. If Benitez was looking for an omen, this was it. Sunderland had lead Chelsea as well. And then what happened might be sweet music to Benitez, provided a similar performance is repeated on this pitch as well.

Half Time. Sunderland 1 - 0 Liverpool.

The second half saw McCartney being replaced by Henderson. That was more of a tactical change. Benitez stuck with his guns from before half time. Just at the start of it though, a shot from Jones had stuck Carragher on the arm. Sunderland asked questions about a penalty, but would have been a very harsh one if awarded.
Andy Reid then drew a yellow card for his late tackle on Lucas. Jay Spearing should have made his last contribution when he was robbed and Bent was provided with an almost clear opportunity to score. It was Reina's excellent ability to close the angle for Bent and then went to ground saving the ball from going to goal. But Benitez was still persisting with the academy grown midfielder.

There were more reasons for Liverpool to worry. Some nerves at the back let Bent steal the ball inside the penalty box, and get close to the byline. Fortunately enough, his shot struck the upright. However, it appeared that the shot on goal was more or less covered. Had he tried to pick a pass, we would never know. Kewyne Jones was then injured making a tackle on Spearing. A battle on the sidelines is not something rare when Benitez likes to get involved. He had some advice for the fourth official about the time added for Kewyne's injury. Steve Bruce did not mince his words. Restrain was needed and was promptly provided. Campbell replaced Jones.

The 70th minute saw another bad pass in midfield turn into an opportunity for Stead Malbranque. Carragher makes a diving tackle to keep the ball out. Reina was still guarding the goal but it was one hell of a challenge from the Red's captain. Skrtel and Spearing were finally replaced with Voronin and Mascherano. It now appeared that Liverpool were moving to a sort of 3-5-2 formation. Was the change made a little too late. We would know in another 20 minutes or so.

There were no chances for a while and the tactical battle continued. Ngog finally replaced Babel, who was once again just flashes of brilliance. He still cant dominate defenders like his Ajax days. In the 86th minute, Johnson sent out a cross-cum-shot which Gordon tipped over the bar. It was becoming a frustration for die-hard Red fans like me. Mascherano fashioned a 25 yarder out of nowhere. It was never destined to trouble Gordon, flying over his crossbar. 7 minutes of added time were added much to the dismay of Steve Bruce and almost all the home fans.

Liverpool did manage to create sustained pressure, but Gordon never got to pick the ball out of his own net. However hard may Benitez and others try to deny this, but Liverpool do not look like a reflection of last season's side. Its title race over. You cant be a genuine title contender with 4 defeats in the first 10 games of the season.

Nevertheless. You will never Walk Alone.