adminSunderland fans mock Liverpool boss Arne Slot as Kevin Phillips spotted in away end at Anfield – moments missed
The moments you might have overlooked before, during and after Sunderland’s Premier League trip to Anfield
Sunderland faced one of their toughest challenges of the season under the Anfield lights, with Régis Le Bris’ side pushed to their limits throughout a fiercely competitive Premier League clash.
While the big talking points told part of the tale, the full story was shaped just as much by the smaller moments: tactical tweaks, off-the-ball battles, flashes of frustration and spells of composure that shifted the momentum throughout the evening.
With tensions rising and the atmosphere intensifying, it was a night full of subtle details. Here are the moments you may have missed from Sunderland’s visit to Anfield:
Le Bris makes two changes and switches to a back five
Sunderland returned to a back-five system, with Le Bris making two changes from the team that beat Bournemouth 3–2.
Trai Hume was restored to the starting lineup, taking up the right-side role in the defensive five. Nordi Mukiele moved inside to play on the right of the central trio, while Bertrand Traoré dropped to the bench.
The reshuffle also altered the dynamic further up the pitch. Chemsdine Talbi shifted to the right flank, with Enzo Le Fée positioned on the left as the Black Cats sought greater width without the ball.
Luke O’Nien also returned to the squad in place of Chris Rigg, adding an extra defensive option on the bench.
Sunderland’s respectful gesture to Liverpool before kick-off
One of the standout moments occurred long before kick-off. Granit Xhaka, Florent Ghisolfi and Kristjaan Speakman stepped aside during Sunderland’s arrival to lay a wreath at the memorial for Diogo Jota.
Ghisolfi paused to make the sign of the cross before joining the others in a moment of silence. Supporters nearby fell quiet before applauding.
Jota and his brother, André Silva, tragically lost their lives last July in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, while travelling back to Liverpool for pre-season.
Jota had recently undergone minor lung surgery in Porto and, advised not to fly, was travelling to England via Santander when their Lamborghini Huracan suffered a tyre blowout, according to the Spanish Civil Guard.
A brief exchange between Robin Roefs and Virgil van Dijk
A small but meaningful moment unfolded in the tunnel as Robin Roefs and Virgil van Dijk exchanged a few words before walking out.
Roefs, who has been part of the last three Netherlands senior squads, has trained with Van Dijk regularly, and the Liverpool captain’s smile and quiet greeting didn’t go unnoticed.
Kevin Phillips in the away end — and chants aimed at Arne Slot
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips was spotted by Sky’s cameras standing in the away end throughout the match. Phillips, who once scored at Anfield for the Black Cats, opted to watch the game from within the travelling support from start to finish.
Fans eventually realised who they were standing beside, though Phillips kept a low profile — until Talbi scored, when he was seen celebrating wildly.
After Sunderland grabbed the lead in the second half, the away end erupted with a chant aimed at Liverpool boss Arne Slot: a loud and cheeky rendition of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as pressure around the stadium began to build.
Late incidents involving Trai Hume and Luke O’Nien
Around the 72nd minute, Trai Hume suffered a heavy knock on the right flank, causing a moment of panic among the Sunderland bench. The medical team rushed on, but Hume eventually returned to his feet and continued, much to the relief of the travelling fans.
Later came a quieter but significant moment: Luke O’Nien entered the pitch to make his Premier League debut.
In doing so, the double-promotion winner has now represented Sunderland in every major competition — the Premier League, Championship, League One, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and FA Cup — completing a remarkable journey few would have predicted when he first joined the club.
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