Liverpool’s Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) reacts during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool | AFP
Aston Villa surged to third in the Premier League after a dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Brighton.
Also on Wednesday night, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Sunderland, leaving the champions struggling for consistency.
Liverpool’s hopes of turning the corner after Sunday’s 2-0 win at West Ham were dashed once again.
Sunderland took the lead in the 67th minute when Chemsdine Talbi capitalised on a sloppy pass by Virgil van Dijk.
A late effort from Florian Wirtz deflected off Nordi Mukiele and was credited as an own-goal, rescuing a point for the hosts.
Sunderland nearly completed a historic first win at Anfield since 1983, only for Wilson Isidor’s stoppage-time break to be cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa.
At the Amex Stadium, Villa staged a stunning fightback to secure their eighth win in nine league games.
Brighton had raced into a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes through Jan Paul van Hecke and a Pau Torres own-goal. Ollie Watkins then scored twice before halftime, followed by Amadou Onana’s header and Donyell Malen’s strike to put Villa 4-2 up.
Van Hecke’s second of the night set up a tense finale, but Brighton eventually succumbed to their first home defeat of the season.
Elsewhere, Wolves’ struggles continued as Igor Jesus’ header earned Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win at Molineux, moving Sean Dyche’s side three points clear of the relegation zone.
Burnley remain in the bottom three after Daniel Munoz’s goal lifted Crystal Palace to fifth with a 1-0 victory.
