Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners in an uninspiring display away to Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.
Christian Benteke scored the winner for the Reds moments after the half time interval with a neatly taken shot.
It was the 25-year-old’s second goal in the past two matches, however, he would rue yet another guilt-edged miss in the dying minutes when he failed to convert a one-on-on chance against Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
The home side struggled to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities throughout the match, but the game hung in the balance as Liverpool continually wasted opportunities to put the game to bed.
Jurgen Klopp’s men remain a frustrating source in front of goal, although the centre-back partnership of Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho continues to show promise after a fifth clean sheet in seven matches together.
Here is some of the best reactions from Twitter:
Mamadou Sakho game by numbers vs. Sunderland:
82% pass acc.
9 clearances
2 interceptions
2 blocks
0 goals conceded pic.twitter.com/bmLnJbo8iC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 30, 2015
Lovren & Sakho's defensive partnership:
7 games
6 wins
5 clean sheets
Progress. #lfc
— Jürgen Klopp (@AdamLovlallana) December 30, 2015
Pleasing win tonight.. Great finish from Benteke, although should of made it 2.. Very encouraging from Firminho and Lovren really solid #lfc
— Paul Stringfellow (@Paulstringy) December 30, 2015
A solid display from #LFC tonight. We can be much better & much more fluid – but building from a point of solidity is the platform we need.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) December 30, 2015
#LFC's Simon Mignolet had the most clean sheets (16) of any keeper in the Premier League in the 2015 calendar year.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) December 30, 2015
Allardyce says #LFC won thanks to a “lucky, lucky goal”. Says Benteke “mis-hit it”. #sourgrapes
— LFC Liverpool FC (@Liverpool_FC_) December 30, 2015
Sky Sports picked Benteke as the Man of the match. Totally wrong decision. Sakho was… They get paid to make these decisions. #LFC
— indykaila News (@indykaila) December 30, 2015
Carragher: "People are linking Klopp to Rodgers. This is nonsense. It's not his team. It's Rodgers' team that was built for 3 years." #lfc
— Jürgen Klopp (@AdamLovlallana) December 30, 2015
#LFC under Jürgen Klopp:
17 games
9 wins
5 draws
3 losses
25 scored
15 conceded
7 clean sheets
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) December 30, 2015
Say what you want about #Benteke but the guy scores goals! Once he scored he played quite well. There’s a lot more to come from him! #LFC
— Rob (@Koppite4004) December 30, 2015
Do not allow the years of mediocrity make you believe that average performances with acceptable results are acceptable for #LFC. IT IS NOT
— Damien (@damienbs) December 30, 2015
Coutinho is too trigger happy with his shots. Blows hot and cold, not consistent enough. Rest of the midfield a bit underwhelming. #LFC
— Profondo Rosso (@Pounds_Sterling) December 30, 2015
Lallana now has 4 assists this season, joint most of any #LFC player along with Firmino and Moreno.
— LiverpoolFF (@LiverpoolFF) December 30, 2015
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