Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool: Lacklustre Reds undone by Bendtner

Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification were all but ended as Nicklas Bendtner's goal gave Sunderland victory in a turgid affair at the Stadium of Light.

Following last week's loss to Arsenal, Kenny Dalglish's side started the game 10 points adrift of the fourth-placed Gunners, but the manner of their performance suggested they felt that was too big a gap to make up even before Bendtner pounced to give Sunderland all three points.

The Reds lined up with Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates preferred over Jamie Carragher in place of the injured Daniel Agger, whilst record signing Andy Carroll again had to make do with a place on the bench. He was joined by skipper Steven Gerrard, who returned to training this week following a hamstring train, but with the Merseyside derby coming up on Tuesday evening, Dalglish chose not to rush his talismanic captain back too soon. For the home side, boss Martin O'Neill was unable to call on the services of suspended duo Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon.

In a disjointed opening 25 minutes, the Black Cats looked the brighter of the two sides, with Liverpool struggling to string more than two passes together. Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea headed over the bar before the visitors eventually came to life when Charlie Adam's in-swinging free-kick nearly deceived home keeper Simon Mignolet, before the Belgian stopper tipped over the bar.

Mignolet was called into action again before half-time when he raced off his line to thwart Luis Suarez, after the Uruguayan striker had wriggled his way into the box.

Recent clashes between Sunderland and Liverpool have resulted in some comical goals. Two seasons ago a beach ball made the headlines when it deflected Darren Bent's shot into the net, whilst last year, Liverpool controversial scored from a Sunderland free-kick Michael Turner claimed the kick hadn't been taken. Eleven minutes after the break this time, Bendtner scored an equally bizarre goal to give Sunderland the lead.

Fraizer Campbell's shot from the edge of the box beat the despairing dive of Pepe Reina, only to hit the post. As the ball rebounded out, it hit the back of the Spanish goalkeeper's head, rebounded back onto the post before falling to the feet of Bendtner, who gleefully fired a left-foot half-volley past the disorientated Reina.

A goal behind, Liverpool did raise their game, albeit by a fraction. Adam shot wide, before he was replaced along with Craig Bellamy, as Gerrard and Carroll were sent on. A nice flick by former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson then set up Suarez, though the striker fired disappointingly wide.

Stewart Downing was Dalglish's final throw of the dice with 10 minutes remaining, but, apart from a late Dirk Kuyt chance where he should have done better with a header after good work by Gerrard, Sunderland were rarely threatened and deservedly took the three points.

Despite their Carling Cup win two weeks' ago and a FA Cup quarter final next weekend, Liverpool's league form will cause major concern for Dalglish. This loss was the Reds' third on the trot, whilst they have only picked up 16 points from their last 14 games. A top four finish now looks far beyond the Anfield men, but Dalglish will be keen to ensure his side's season does not peter out, starting with the small matter of the visit of Everton on Tuesday evening.