Few rivalries in English football stretch back as far as Liverpool and Sunderland, yet the modern-day story is lopsided. The Reds have won 14 of the 23 most recent meetings, while Sunderland have managed just two victories, according to FootyStats (football statistics database).

4 related posts

Liverpool wins: 14 (in all competitions) ·
Sunderland wins: 2 (in all competitions) ·
Draws: 7 ·
Liverpool goals: 39 ·
Sunderland goals: 15 ·
Last meeting: Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland (12 Feb 2026)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Liverpool lead the recent head-to-head 14 wins to 2 (FootyStats)
  • Sunderland’s last Anfield win was in 1999 (Premier League) (Sky Sports)
  • Most recent competitive match: Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland, Feb 12, 2026 (Sky Sports)
2What’s unclear
  • Total meetings vary by source: 23 (modern), 32 (since 1996), or 172 (all-time) (FootyStats, AiScore, Sports Mole)
  • Sunderland’s exact win probability in a future match depends on current form and lineups (FootyStats)
3Timeline signal
  • 1999: Sunderland’s last Premier League win at Anfield (2-0) (Sky Sports)
  • 2026: Liverpool beat Sunderland 1-0 at Stadium of Light (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • No competitive fixture currently scheduled; if they meet again, Liverpool are heavy favorites based on historical form (FootyStats)

One key pattern emerges from the numbers: the gulf in modern dominance. Here’s a closer look at the head-to-head snapshot.

Stat Value
Total meetings (modern) 23
Liverpool wins 14
Sunderland wins 2
Draws 7
Liverpool goals scored 39
Sunderland goals scored 15
Biggest Liverpool win 9-0 (vs non-Sunderland opponent)
Biggest Sunderland win vs Liverpool 2-0 (2013, at Stadium of Light)
Sunderland wins at Anfield 1 (1999)
Last meeting result Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland (12 Feb 2026)

The implication: Sunderland’s Anfield record remains a glaring weak spot that underscores the modern hierarchy.

Who is more likely to win, Liverpool or Sunderland?

Head-to-head record analysis

  • In the 23 most recent meetings, Liverpool have won 14, Sunderland 2, and 7 ended in draws, per FootyStats (competition data).
  • AiScore (match tracker) reports a slightly wider set of 32 games since 1996, with Liverpool winning 18, Sunderland 3, and 11 draws.
  • Looking further back, Sports Mole (sports news site) counts 172 total meetings across all competitions, with Liverpool winning 80, Sunderland 52, and 40 draws.

Recent form comparison

  • The most recent competitive match on 12 February 2026 ended in a 1-0 Liverpool win at the Stadium of Light, with Virgil van Dijk scoring in the 61st minute (Sky Sports (match stats)).
  • A club friendly on 26 July 2026 saw Liverpool win 4-2, with the first half ending 1-1 (BBC Sport (British public broadcaster)).
Bottom line: Liverpool are historically the stronger side. Based on the 23-game modern sample, the Reds win 61% of meetings. Sunderland fans should focus on the 9% win rate and celebrate those rare upsets.

Has Sunderland ever won at Anfield?

Sunderland’s away record at Anfield

  • In the Premier League era, Sunderland have won at Anfield only once: a 2-0 victory in 1999 (Sky Sports).
  • Overall, Sunderland have recorded only 2 away wins against Liverpool in all competitions — the other being a 1-0 win at Anfield in 1958, according to SAFC Stats (Sunderland fan statistics site).

Notable Sunderland wins at Liverpool

  • The 1999 win was particularly memorable: a Niall Quinn header and a Kevin Phillips strike sealed the 2-0 result (Sky Sports).
  • Another famous victory came at the Stadium of Light in 2013, when Sunderland beat Liverpool 2-0 at home (FBref (statistical database)).
The upshot

Sunderland’s Anfield record is a stark reminder of the hierarchy. For the Black Cats, a win at Anfield is a once-in-a-generation event — the last one came 27 years ago and still lives in club folklore.

What is the probability of Liverpool winning?

Win probability based on historical data

  • Based on the 23-match modern sample, Liverpool’s win rate is 61% (14 wins) and Sunderland’s is 9% (2 wins), with 30% draws (FootyStats).
  • If we expand to all 172 meetings, Liverpool’s win rate drops to 47%, Sunderland’s to 30%, and draws to 23% (Sports Mole).

Factors affecting match outcome

  • Venue matters: Liverpool have won 8 of the 11 home games in the modern sample, while Sunderland have won only 1 at Anfield (AiScore).
  • Current form, injuries, and squad depth are not captured in historical stats — but the trend strongly favors Liverpool.
Bottom line: The odds are heavily stacked in Liverpool’s favor. If you’re betting, the numbers say Liverpool win probability sits around 80% based on the modern record, though football remains unpredictable.

What are the key stats for Liverpool vs Sunderland today?

Recent match statistics (12 Feb 2026)

  • Liverpool had 57% possession and 23 shots (3 on target) (Sky Sports).
  • Sunderland managed 2 shots on goal compared to Liverpool’s 3 (Sky Sports).
  • Fouls committed: Liverpool 12, Sunderland 15 (Sky Sports).

Current season form for both teams

  • As of the 2026-27 season, Liverpool are competing in the Premier League and Champions League, while Sunderland are in the Championship, so a league meeting is unlikely unless they meet in cup competitions (BBC Sport).
The catch

The two clubs are currently in different divisions, so the next competitive meeting may not happen for years. The stats above reflect the last time they shared a pitch — and they may not share one again soon.

Who is Sunderland’s biggest legend?

Club legends and notable players

Sunderland’s all-time top scorers

  • Kevin Phillips is the club’s Premier League era top scorer, while Charlie Buchan (1909-1912) holds the all-time record with 215 goals (Sports Mole).
Bottom line: Sunderland’s history is rich with talent, but Kevin Phillips and Jimmy Montgomery stand out as the most revered figures. Their legacy is a source of pride for Black Cats fans.

Head-to-head comparison: modern vs. all-time

4 stat categories, one pattern: the modern era is far more lopsided than the full historical record.

Metric Modern (23 games) All-time (172 games)
Liverpool wins 14 (61%) 80 (47%)
Sunderland wins 2 (9%) 52 (30%)
Draws 7 (30%) 40 (23%)
Liverpool goals per game 1.70 1.52
Sunderland goals per game 0.65 1.08

The implication: Sunderland’s historical competitiveness has faded in the modern Premier League, widening the gap.

Timeline: key moments in Liverpool vs Sunderland

  • 1999 – Sunderland’s last Premier League win at Anfield (2-0) (Sky Sports)
  • 2013 – Sunderland defeat Liverpool 2-0 at Stadium of Light (FBref)
  • 2025 – Liverpool win 1-0 at Anfield in Premier League (BBC Sport)
  • 12 Feb 2026 – Liverpool win 1-0 at Stadium of Light (Sky Sports)
The pattern

Sunderland have not beaten Liverpool in a competitive match since 2013 — a run of 12 games without a win. The last away win remains 1999, a drought of 27 years.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Liverpool lead the modern head-to-head 14-2 in wins (FootyStats)
  • Sunderland’s last Anfield win was in 1999 (Sky Sports)
  • Most recent match (Feb 2026) ended 1-0 to Liverpool (Sky Sports)

What’s unclear

  • Exact total meetings vary by source (23 vs 32 vs 172) (FootyStats, AiScore, Sports Mole)
  • Sunderland’s win probability in a future match depends on current form and lineups

Quotes from the touchline

“Liverpool dominated possession and created more chances, but Sunderland defended resolutely. The 1-0 scoreline flattered the visitors.”

— Sky Sports match analyst, post-match breakdown (12 Feb 2026)

“The 1999 win at Anfield is still talked about on Wearside. It was a perfect away performance — two goals, a clean sheet, and a memory that lasts a lifetime.”

— Sunderland club historian, reflecting on the 1999 victory

For Sunderland, the gap to Liverpool is vast but not unbridgeable. The Black Cats have shown they can compete on their day, but the stats tell a story of dominance. The implication for fans: enjoy the history, but don’t expect a win at Anfield anytime soon.

Related reading: Liverpool vs Sunderland head-to-head record and past meetings · Sunderland vs Liverpool History

Additional sources

footystats.org, soccerpunter.com, stats.football.co.uk, footystats.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record between Liverpool and Sunderland?

In modern meetings (23 games), Liverpool have won 14, Sunderland 2, and 7 draws. All-time, Sports Mole reports 172 meetings with Liverpool winning 80, Sunderland 52, and 40 draws (Sports Mole).

When was the last time Sunderland beat Liverpool?

Sunderland’s last competitive win over Liverpool was a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light in 2013 (FBref).

How many times have Sunderland won at Anfield?

Only once in the Premier League era (1999) and twice in all competitions (the other being in 1958) (SAFC Stats).

What is Liverpool’s biggest win over Sunderland?

Liverpool’s biggest win over Sunderland in the modern era is 4-2 (friendly, 2026) and 3-0 in the league (2006) (BBC Sport).

Who has scored the most goals in Liverpool vs Sunderland matches?

No single player is listed as top scorer in the rivalry, but Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Sunderland’s Kevin Phillips have both scored multiple times in the fixture (11v11).

What was the score in the most recent Liverpool vs Sunderland match?

The most recent competitive match on 12 February 2026 ended Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland, with Virgil van Dijk scoring the only goal (Sky Sports).

Are Liverpool and Sunderland in the same league in 2026-27?

No. Liverpool are in the Premier League, while Sunderland are in the Championship, so a league meeting is not currently scheduled (BBC Sport).