Aiming to avoid back-to-back defeats in front of the Anfield faithful for the first time since 2012, Liverpool started strongly, and saw shots on target by Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz kept out by Robin Roefs.
Cody Gakpo had also been influential, but things started to turn in Sunderland’s favour around the half-hour mark, following Trai Hume’s thunderous strike which was tipped onto the bar by Alisson.
The visitors continued knocking at the door until just before half time, when Alexis Mac Allister nearly opened the scoring at the other end by heading Joe Gomez’s cross against the post.
That meant that Liverpool failed to score in the first half of four successive PL matches for the first time since February 2023, leading Arne Slot to introduce Mohamed Salah at the break.
That was followed by another bright spell for the hosts, but Sunderland still looked a major threat, and Omar Alderete grazed the outside of the upright with a near-post header.
The dynamism of the Black Cats’ pressing play became increasingly troublesome as the half went on, and it played a big part in their stunning opener with just over 20 minutes to go.
Chemsdine Talbi pounced on a stray pass from Virgil van Dijk, before unleashing a powerful effort which deflected off the Liverpool captain and nestled into the far corner beyond Alisson’s reach.
Sunderland defended excellently in response, but they couldn’t quite hold on as Liverpool equalised in the 81st minute.
Curtis Jones laid it off for Wirtz, who twisted and turned his way into the area and let fly, with his shot likely heading off target before finding the net via a heavy deflection off Mukiele.
Slot’s side poured forward in search of a winner, but that strategy almost came back to bite them when Wilson Isidor raced away on the counter, though Federico Chiesa recovered to block it on the line and ensure the points were shared.
Sunderland will be disappointed not to take all three points, and a first win at Anfield since 1983, after a confident display, while there is still a lot of work to do behind the scenes at Liverpool.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Omar Alderete (Sunderland)
