Has Pool's Title Charge Been Ended
By Stray Beach Ball?
Liverpool's title challenge looks in serious
trouble after they lost their fourth game of the season, going down
1-0 to Sunderland in bizarre circumstances.
Darren Bent was credited with the only goal at the Stadium of
Light, but the ball took a wicked deflection off a beach ball -
which appeared to have been thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool
fan - and deceived Pepe Reina.
As the football struck the beach ball and veered to Reina's
left, the Spanish keeper appeared to react to and follow the beach
ball, who dived the wrong way as the ball flew into the net.
Liverpool were furious and protested to referee Mike
Jones and his assistant but any claims fell on deaf ears. The Reds
were furious, and it could have got worse as Lorik Cana met Reid's
corner with a firm header but he missed the target.
Rafa Benitez - without both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres -
experimented with a 3-5-2 formation, but the visitors put in a
disjointed and rather disorganised performance.
The match will also be remembered for a touchline flare-up
between Benitez and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
Bruce and Benitez became involved in a furious row on
the sidelines as the injured Jones was treated on the pitch. But
the fourth official eventually separated the pair as tensions
grew.
Benitez made a number of switches as the match went on
but his side could not muster the equaliser they desperately
wanted.
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner,
Ferdinand, McCartney (Henderson 46), Malbranque, Cana, Cattermole
(Zenden 58), Reid, Bent, Jones (Campbell 66). Subs Not Used: Fulop,
Nosworthy, Da Silva, Healy. Booked: Cana, Reid. Goals: Bent 5.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger,
Skrtel (Voronin 72), Carragher, Babel (Ngog 81), Lucas, Aurelio,
Spearing (Mascherano 72), Benayoun, Kuyt. Subs Not Used: Cavalieri,
Riera, Insua, Kelly. Booked: Kuyt.
Att: 47,327
Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
