Anfield loses its fear factor for Liverpool

Anfield, the name alone usually sends a shiver through the spine of teams standing in the tunnel at the famous ground. For Sunderland however, and others that have gone there this season, it seems that fear factor has been lost. Take the opening 20 minutes at Anfield on Wednesday night as Sunderland controlled the hosts, not only keeping them at bay but probing them when it suited.

The Black Cats, flying high in the Premier League top six, looked more comfortable than ever as they composed themselves impressively to silence the home fans. Liverpool meanwhile were slow, ponderous and clumsy. Dominik Szoboszlai aside, they were seemingly riddled with nerves as Sunderland attacked in waves.

To their credit Liverpool clawed their way into t

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