Sunderland scored twice in the final 10 minutes to come from behind and rescue a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.
The hosts looked on course for three points in the absence of manager Jurgen Klopp, stricken by suspected appendicitis, but late goals from Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe saw the Black Cats claim an unlikely point.
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The visitors went into the match set up to frustrate their hosts and strike on the break, which they almost did as early as the eighth minute when Patrick van Aanholt raced into space down the left flank, only to drag his effort wide of the far post.
Indeed, it was the left-backs who looked like the most dangerous players at stages in the opening 45 minutes, with Liverpool's first chance falling to Alberto Moreno when his low drive was saved by the feet of Vito Mannone after Adam Lallana had slipped a pass through.
The hosts continued to dominate possession, going on to enjoy 81% of the ball in the first half, but failed to take advantage of that, with James Milner wasting another good opening when his low cross was cleared by John O'Shea before Roberto Firmino fired off target moments later.
The first half was punctured by injuries for both sides, with Dejan Lovren, Joe Allen and Duncan Watmore all being forced off before the interval.
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It did little to disrupt Liverpool's dominance or Sunderland's stubbornness, however, and the Reds twice came close to grabbing an opener in the closing stages of the half as first Firmino flashed a powerful strike narrowly over and then Moreno failed to properly connect with a stooping header.
A similar pattern emerged in the second half, with Moreno sending a teasing ball right across the face of goal that no red shirts could tap in, before Firmino skilfully worked space to shoot and fired a long-range effort just wide.
Defoe then had a rare sight of goal for Sunderland, but just a minute later Liverpool finally took the lead when Firmino peeled off his man at the back post and nodded Milner's deep cross in.
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The hosts immediately went in search of a second, with Jordon Ibe seeing a powerful effort deflected narrowly over before Mannone got down twice in quick succession to deny Lallana and Ibe.
Jordan Henderson was the next to come close with a long-range strike that swerved narrowly wide, but Liverpool were then given a warning shot when Van Aanholt broke into the box and sliced his effort into the side-netting when he should have done better.
Liverpool did get the second goal with 20 minutes remaining, however, as Firmino blocked a clearance from Billy Jones before advancing into the area and squaring for Lallana to slot a simple finish into the empty net.
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That appeared to have put the Black Cats to bed, but Sam Allardyce's side refused to give up and, in front of an empty Kop stand after fans has staged a mass walk-out over new ticket prices, Johnson pulled one back for the visitors when his free kick squirmed under the arm of Simon Mignolet.
The comeback was then completed with just one minute of normal time remaining as Wahbi Khazri found Defoe, who held off Sakho before turning and firing a clinical finish past the keeper.
That proved to be enough for Sunderland to claim a point as Liverpool made it just one win in their last six Premier League games to remain eighth in the table, while the Black Cats stay four points from safety.
Barney Corkhill
