A depleted Liverpool side were still too strong for Sunderland as they consolidated their top-of-the-table placing at Anfield.

The Reds had former Newcastle United midfielder Dietmer Hamann sent off in the 44th minute for a rash challenge, but Peter Reid's men failed to exploit their extra man in the second half.

Indeed Liverpool, who had gone ahead in the 22nd minute through England striker Emile Heskey, might even have increased their lead but for the performance of Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and some extravagant finishing by the home forwards.

Sunderland had not won at Anfield since 1983 and this was a disappointing performance after their thrilling home win over Leeds United the week before.

The Wearsiders never really got their game together and only England international Kevin Phillips looked a threat in front of goal, though bhis best effort brought a fine, one handed save fromgoalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Sunderland were unchanged from the side which beat Leeds, but recent £1m signing Jason McAteer was given the honour of wearing the captain's armband and leading the team out against his old club.

Sorensen was the first goalkeeper to see action when he came off his line smartly to take a high centre from Danny Murphy with Heskey coming in strongly and the attack was a signal for Liverpool to start increasing the pressure.

And Sunderland were almost a goal down in the 11th minute when Robbie Fowler side-stepped a challenge from Darren Williams on the edge of the box and went forward to slam a powerful left-foot shot into the side netting.

Fowler, in the team in place of injured England colleague Michael Owen, looked sharp and eager in the early raids and clearly Williams was going to have his work cut out keeping tabs on the Liverpool marksman.

Fowler found himself in an excellent position in then 17th minute when Sami Hyypia put the ball back into the middle when a corner was forced away, but the striker headed straight at Sorensen on the line.

Sunderland fullback Bernt Haas was booked for a foul on Vladimir Smicer and Liverpool took the lead from the freekick in nthe 22nd minute. Danny Murphy chipped the ball up into the danger area and Heskey powered in an unstoppable header - his first goal in 20 games.

Liverpool should have increased their lead in the 26th minute when Smicer released Gerrard with a perfectly paced through ball, but after breaking into the box the England man fired his low, left foot shot across the face of goal, with Sorensen going down desperately.

Liverpool were starting to take charge, but their final pass was letting them down and Sunderland finally managed an attempt at goal on the half hour when a knock-down by Niall Quinn was slammed high over the bar by Julio Arca, 22 yards out.

There was a better move from Sunderland in the 33rd minute when Haas burst into the penalty area after beating Smicer and from his centre Phillips had an ambitious right-foot volley blocked.

Sunderland went even closer in the 36th minute when Phillips nicked the ball off Riise and went forward to strike a hard, low shot inches wide from 25 yards, obviously keen to repeat his long-range success of the previous season.

And Phillips came within an ace of snatching an equaliser in rthe 43rd minute with a shot-on-the turn from the edge of the box which Dudek just managed to push round the post.

Liverpool were reduced to ten men in the 44th minute when German international Dietmar Hamann was shown the red card for a double-footed challenge which left Haas writhing in agony. Referee Steve Bennett immediately called over the former Newcastle midfielder - back in the team after suspension - and showed him the red card.

The Anfield fans, however, thought the Swiss fullback had made a meal of the tackle and chanted "cheat" the next time he got the ball.

Liverpool made a tactical change at half time, bring on Scottish international Gary McAllister in place of Fowler, with the obvious intention of playing only one man up front - Heskey.

Emerson Thome had his name taken in the 48th minute for bringing downn Gerrard as the midfielder tried to beat him a second time on the edge of the box and Riise's fierce freekick was blocked.

Sunderland came close in the 52nd minute after a good build up on the left, with Michael Gray lifting the bball up for McAteer to head just wide of the far post.

Sunderland, trying to exploit their extra man, found Liverpool hard to ruffle and the home side, not content to sit back onn their lead, were pushing forward at every opportunity.

Sunderland brought on young Irish winger Thomas Butler in place of Arca in the 58th minute just before McAteer was booked for an off-the-ball clash with Riise.

Sunderland were almost caught on the break by Smicer, who made a long run and looked a likely scorer before his strong right-foot shot was blocked by Thome. Sunderland, in contrast, had been unable to create a decent chance after the break and Dudek was not called into action until the 64th minute, when he went down on his line to hold a speculative long-ranger from McAteer.

Liverpoolwasted a great chance to tie the game up in the b67th minute when Smicer cut his way into the penalty area and cut the ball back for the totally unmarked McAllister to blast his right-foot shot high over the bar for the miss of the match.

Sorensen casme to Sunderland's rescue when he raced from his area to fly-kick the ball away from the feet of Heskey, who had threatened to burst clear in the 74th minute.

Sunderland made two more late substitutions, Lilian Laslandes replacing Thirlwell and George McCarrtney coming on for Williams, but were still unable to break down a Reds defence in which Hyypia was outstanding.

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