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Liverpool drop down to ninth

Liverpool drop down to ninth in the table after playing out a 0-0 draw against Sunderland at Anfield.

Liverpool have dropped down to ninth in the Premier League after playing out a 0-0 draw against Sunderland at Anfield this afternoon.

The hosts made a lively start to the game and showed plenty of intensity by closing down Sunderland whenever possible.

Jordan Henderson of Liverpool battles for the ball with Jordi Gomez and Liam Bridcutt of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

The Black Cats eventually saw more possession and worked the ball into the box through Sebastian Larsson's cross, only for Glen Johnson to hack the ball clear.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet would have been pleased with his side's passing and movement and they threatened again as Jordi Gomez smashed the ball off target after Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Adam Lallana fashioned a good opening for Liverpool by shaking off a Sunderland defender before crossing to Rickie Lambert at the back post, but the striker could only guide his header wide of the post.

Steven Gerrard of Liverpool walks to the bench before the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

The opportunity seemed to invigorate Liverpool, and Philippe Coutinho cut in from the left before firing in a low effort which Costel Pantilimon saved.

Connor Wickham then went down in the box under a challenge from Johnson, but referee Kevin Friend waved away Sunderland's appeals.

After the restart, a Sunderland corner from the right was inadvertently flicked on by Martin Skrtel before Wickham fizzed a volley wide at the back post as a great chance for away side went begging.

Jozy Altidore of Sunderland battles for the ball with Kolo Toure and Alberto Moreno of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

Sunderland were pushing for a goal, with Larsson and Gomez both coming close as they ramped up the pressure on the hosts.

In response, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers sent on club captain Steven Gerrard in an attempt to give his side more urgency in the middle of the park. Coutinho fired a low effort towards goal, but Pantilimon was there to palm it away.

At the other end, Gomez hit a drive towards goal which Simon Mignolet did well to save.

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Jordan Henderson of Liverpool battles for the ball with Jordi Gomez and Liam Bridcutt of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match on December 6, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


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