The first half didn't really get going until one quality move on 37 minutes put Liverpool ahead. Xabi Alonso's cross field pass was headed back to Voronin by Jermaine Pennant and the Ukrainian's lay off set up Sissoko just outside the 18 yard box. The Mali international hammered a low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net to break his duck on his 75th appearance.
That goal meant Sunderland had to come out and attack and that opened up gaps in their defence that Liverpool were able to exploit. On the stroke of half time Pennant found space on the right and whipped in an excellent cross. Fernando Torres connected with a diving header that was unfortunately stopped by Gordon.
It was more of the same in the second half with Gordon denying Torres on two occasions and Pennant on another. Voronin then saw a decent chance saved with a quarter of an hour remaining.
With Gordon in fine form there was always the worry the Reds could be hit by the sucker punch so there was a huge sigh of relief when Voronin finally wrapped the game up in the 87th minute. Some good interplay between Ryan Babel and Pennant played in Torres on the edge of the box. He passed it to Voronin who turned one defender and then fired home to kill the game off.
The only sour note for the Reds was the withdrawal of both Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher through injury.