Van Dijk sinks Sunderland to boost Liverpool's bid for Champions League

Virgil van Dijk propelled Liverpool back into the contest for Champions League spots with his goal securing a 1-0 triumph against Sunderland on Wednesday.

The Liverpool captain struck in the second period to hand Sunderland their initial home loss in the Premier League this campaign.

Liverpools sixth position saw them claim their second victory from eight recent league outings putting them two points adrift of Chelsea in fifth and three from Manchester United in fourth.

Tuesday draws for both United and Chelsea created chances for Liverpool to reignite their faltering push for Europes top club tournament and they grabbed it with a determined win on a rain swept Wearside.

After last weekends 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City Liverpool manager Arne Slot described this as the most challenging season of his career by far.

Slot has endured growing doubts about his job just under a year since guiding Liverpool to the English championship.

He accepted that missing Champions League qualification would be intolerable stressing the need for near flawless play to earn a place.

Though not flawless this effort from Slots team sufficed to maintain their pursuit of a top five spot set to ensure Champions League entry.

Sunderland began with the leagues sole perfect home record this term having held leaders Arsenal and runners up City to draws at the Stadium of Light.

Differing from Arsenal and City Liverpool managed a tough earned win.

Florian Wirtz created most of Liverpools dangerous plays.

A deflected effort from Wirtz rolled just past the post while his powerful shot from distance drew an excellent stop from Robin Roefs.

The German creator came nearer with a low strike that passed through crowded Sunderland defenders before striking the far upright.

Roefs thwarted Wirtz once more by blocking a close range header.

Sunderland unsuccessfully claimed a spot kick as Ibrahima Konate pulled down Brian Brobbey right before the break.

The Black Cats threatened via Trai Hume whose 25 yard effort sailed slightly high shortly after restart.

Liverpool hit back strongly with Mohamed Salahs on target attempt stopped by Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava prior to Van Dijks 61st minute strike.

Van Dijk rose to connect firmly with Salahs corner and Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra inadvertently headed it into his own net while trying to deflect it away.

With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined by injury and Dominik Szoboszlai out through suspension Slot had to deploy Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo at right back for his debut league appearance this season.

However Endo was carried off on a stretcher during the second half adding to Liverpools growing injury list.

Slots squad handled the setback adequately keeping Sunderland out to claim an important success.