Liverpool 2 Sunderland 0: Divock Origi and James Milner strike after Philippe Coutinho injury rocks Kop
Origi and Milner sink brave Black Cats but fears grow over ankle injury of Brazilian playmaker Coutinho
SUB Divock Origi came off the bench to set Liverpool on the way to victory over Sunderland - but were denied top spot at the end of the day by Chelsea's win over Spurs.
Origi's 75th minute curling effort finally broke the brave resistance of David Moyes' side before James Milner added a late penalty to put Liverpool above Manchester City on goals scored with Chelsea facing Tottenham in the evening kick-off.
Philippe Coutinho suffered a suspected serious ankle injury in this challenge with Didier Ndong
But the joy was muted by injury concerns over key player Philippe Coutinho, who Origi replaced when he was carried off on 30 minutes with a nasty looking ankle injury.
Sunderland gave a good account of themselves and were twice denied by Loris Karius in the Liverpool goal as they chased a third straight Premier League win.
But the defeat leaves the Black Cats still in the bottom three of the table as they desperately try to avoid relegation from the top flight.