Two Liverpool players still need to step up as Arne Slot secures timely boost - 5 talking points

Liverpool beat Sunderland with Virgil van Dijk netting the opening goal and Florian Wirtz impressing again. This is what we spotted at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring against Sunderland.(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

STADIUM OF LIGHT, SUNDERLAND // Virgil van Dijk's header was enough to earn Liverpool a vital three points in the race for the Champions League places — with no late drama to contend with this time around.

After a goalless first half, in which Wirtz was a clear stand-out, with the German hitting the post with a clever attempt, it was Virgil van Dijk who got the breakthrough, heading home a drifted Mohamed Salah corner that caused Robin Roefs an issue.

Wataru Endo limped off with an injury that will cause another headache for Arne Slot, but his side got the points. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

Step forward for Arne Slot

Arne Slot admitted beforehand that his side needs to be "close to perfection" if they are to make the Champions League spots this season. This wasn't in terms of performance, but was in terms of the result.

Liverpool has only lost five of the last 66 league fixtures between these two teams and the Reds knew a win here would put them within touching distance of the Champions League spots again.

It was a battle, but Liverpool did just about win it. In doing so, it ended Sunderland's unbeaten home status, which made it an impressive achievement on a potentially tricky night.

(Image: Getty Images)

Wataru Endo injury blow

With Dominik Szoboszlai suspended, it was Wataru Endo, not Curtis Jones, who was the chosen midfielder to slot back in at full-back. That made sense on paper against a Sunderland team filled with power and physicality.

Endo did exactly what you would expect. His on-ball value is very limited. He is more than prepared to put in a tackle even when he might be wiser to hold fire. He also went off injured, which is a little predictable for Liverpool right-backs at the moment.

Jones, though, was not selected to start in the center of the field. The Liverpool man has not been since the 1-1 draw with Burnley, even with Alexis Mac Allister struggling of late and looking in need of a break.

There were too many gaps in the center of the pitch — a problem present against Manchester City too — and it would perhaps have been better to have Wirtz off the left and Jones as an extra man in the middle, given how ineffective Cody Gakpo was.

Wataru Endo is stretched during Liverpool's game against Sunderland(Image: (Stu Forster/Getty Images))

Wingers must step up

In wide areas, Gakpo and Mohamed Salah left Liverpool fans frustrated. They lack pace and often look a little predictable; an accusation that can rightly be leveled at the players on both flanks.

Though they got into some good areas, Salah and Gakpo were guilty of making the wrong decisions. Wirtz did his best to create and carve out chances, but he can't do that all alone.

Liverpool will see more of what the German is capable of when those next to him step up. For now, however, Gakpo and Salah are in a vein of form that doesn't suggest it will be that quick in happening, even if the latter put in a good corner for Van Dijk's goal.

Mohamed Salah under pressure from Noah Sadiki, Trai Hume and Omar Alderete during Sunderland vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

No late drama

After it lost in stoppage time against Manchester City at the weekend, Liverpool had dropped a total of eight points dropped so far this season in the Premier League via goals conceded in the 90th minute or later.

Here, at least, it managed to hold on. Problems with late goals going in stem from not killing games earlier and Liverpool didn't edge more than one in front on this occasion, despite Wirtz's best efforts.

Sunderland's strong position in the Premier League standings has been founded on good home form.

The Black Cats had been unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, drawing with Arsenal and Manchester City and beating Newcastle United. Though it was a narrow win, it was an important (and deserved) one.

Champions League twist

Manchester United scored late to draw with West Ham on Tuesday, while Chelsea squandered a two-goal lead to drop points against Leeds. With that, opportunity knocked.

Liverpool had the toughest midweek assignment of the three teams battling for two places in the top five, with Sunderland kicking off the game five places but only three points behind the Reds, but managed the best result.

There will be more twists and turns guaranteed. Each of those in the Champions League is not a title contender precisely because of their inconsistencies. With this latest step in the right direction, though, there is renewed hope that Liverpool might succeed.