Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland Highlights

Goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard secured Liverpool’s first Premier League win since Boxing Day.

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The hosts, who had the better of a woeful first half, took the lead when Crouch headed Jamie Carragher’s cross past Craig Gordan in Sunderland’s goal. Torres added a second when he collected Crouch’s flick and drilled home. Sunderland had two penalty shouts turned down before Liverpool were awarded one, which Gerrard dispatched. With his side trailing leaders Arsenal by 20 points before kick-off, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez knew there could be no margin for error. The Spaniard made five changes to the side which lost at West Ham in midweek but the alterations seemed to upset the team’s balance early on. Lucas Leiva, deployed on the left of midfield, looked particularly uncomfortable as Liverpool relied solely on Gerrard and Torres for any sort of attacking inspiration.