The winner came in the eighth minute. Goalkeeper David Martin punted the ball forward, Sunderland defender Jean Yves M'Voto slipped and Kristian Nemeth was able to run clear on goal. Black Cats keeper Trevor Carson was left stranded as Nemeth cooly lobbed the ball over him for his sixth goal in five reserve games.
Gary Ablett's side suffered a blow after 23 minutes when Jay Spearing was forced off with a knee injury but Damien Plessis and subsitute Ryan Crowther upped their game and compensated for the loss of their inspirational midfielder.
Liverpool had chances the increase their lead before the interval, the best one falling to Jordy Brouwer after Ryan Flynn played him in. Unfortunately, the disappointing Brouwer pulled his shot wide.
After the break a strong Sunderland team put more pressure on the Reds and began carving out chances of their own. Lucking for Liverpool David Martin was in fine form, making a few good blocks to keep his clean sheet intact.
Liverpool thought they'd wrapped the game up near the end when Ronald Huth headed a free kick back across goal and debutant Daniel Ayala tapped the ball over the line. Unfortunately the goal was disallowed for offside but it wasn't to matter as the Reds extended their lead at the top of the Reserve League North to five points.
