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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
1Liverpool25186160243660
2Arsenal25158251222953
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest25145641291247
4Manchester CityMan City25135752351744
5Bournemouth25127644291543
6Chelsea25127647341343
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2512584233941
8Fulham2510963833539
9Aston Villa2510873538-338
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2591063838037
11Brentford25104114342134
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs25931349371230
13Crystal Palace257992932-330
14Everton257992731-430
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd2585122835-729
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2576122947-1827
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2554163554-1919
18Ipswich TownIpswich2538142350-2717
19Leicester CityLeicester2545162555-3017
20Southampton2523201957-389


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