Sunderland vs Liverpool: Head-to-Head Standings & History
Few matchups in English football tell a story of diverging fortunes quite like Sunderland vs Liverpool. While the Reds have chased Premier League titles and Champions League glory, the Black Cats have fought through relegation and rebuilding.
All-time meetings (since 1996): 34 · Liverpool wins: 19 · Sunderland wins: 3 · Draws: 7 · Most recent result: Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland (Feb 12, 2026) · Liverpool goals per game (head-to-head): 1.4
Quick snapshot
- Liverpool has 19 wins, Sunderland 3 wins, 7 draws (Ballterminal (statistics aggregator))
- Latest result: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool on 12 Feb 2026 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Liverpool scored 48 goals in head-to-head matches (AiScore (live sports stats))
- Exact date of Sunderland’s last win before 2016 (Eurorivals (historical matchups))
- Detailed lineup for any future fixture not yet confirmed (Eurorivals (historical matchups))
- Head-to-head totals vary (172 meetings all-time vs 139 in some databases, per Eurorivals (historical matchups))
- First recorded meeting: 1894-95 First Division (Sports Mole (football statistics site))
- Last Sunderland win: March 10, 2012 (Premier League) (Football.co.uk (English football stats))
- Sunderland relegated after 2024-25 season (BILD (German sports outlet))
- Latest match: February 12, 2026 (SportoweFakty (Polish sports media))
- Sunderland in Championship (BILD (German sports outlet)) – next top-flight meeting unlikely without promotion
- Potential EFL Cup or FA Cup clash remains possible (BILD (German sports outlet))
Six key numbers capture the gulf between these two sides in the Premier League era.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| All-time meetings | 34 |
| Liverpool goals | 48 |
| Sunderland goals | 19 |
| Most common result | Liverpool 1-0 (6 occurrences) |
| Liverpool win percentage | 56% |
| Sunderland win percentage | 9% |
What is the head-to-head record between Sunderland and Liverpool?
All-time match outcomes
- All competitions (since 1894): 172 meetings – Liverpool 80 wins, Sunderland 52 wins, 40 draws (Sports Mole (football statistics site))
- Premier League era (1992–present): 34 meetings – Liverpool 19 wins, Sunderland 3 wins, 12 draws (Ballterminal)
- Another database lists 139 overall meetings, Liverpool 66 wins, Sunderland 41 wins, 32 draws (Eurorivals (historical matchups)) – the discrepancy is likely due to incomplete records from early 20th century.
Goals scored per side
In the Premier League era, Liverpool have scored 48 goals against Sunderland, an average of 1.4 per game. Sunderland have managed 19 goals, roughly 0.6 per game (AiScore). The most frequent exact scoreline is Liverpool 1-0, occurring six times.
The pattern is clear: Liverpool have dominated the fixture, especially since 2012. For Sunderland, even a draw has become a respectable result.
One comparison across eras puts the dominance in perspective: in all competitions, Liverpool win 46.5% of meetings; in the Premier League era that figure jumps to 56%.
| Era | Meetings | Liverpool wins | Draws | Sunderland wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-time (1894–present) | 172 | 80 | 40 | 52 |
| Premier League (1992–2026) | 34 | 19 | 12 | 3 |
The gap widens in the Premier League era. Sunderland’s three Premier League wins – FBref (stathead history) confirms results from 2002 onwards – all came before March 2012. Since then, Liverpool have not lost to Sunderland.
When did Sunderland last defeat Liverpool?
Date and context of Sunderland’s last win
- Sunderland beat Liverpool 1-0 on 10 March 2012 at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League (Football.co.uk).
- The goal was scored by Nicklas Bendtner. It was Sunderland’s third home win of the season and snapped a run of five league games without a win.
Liverpool’s recent dominance in the fixture
Since that 2012 loss, Liverpool are unbeaten against Sunderland in all competitions. According to Football Express News (Premier League coverage), the record stands at 8 wins and 4 draws. The Reds have scored 18 goals and conceded only 5 over that period.
Liverpool have not lost a league match to Sunderland since March 2012 – a span of 14 years. For a club once billed as a “hard place to go”, the Stadium of Light now yields routine away wins for title-chasing sides.
The run without a win against Liverpool underscores the scale of Sunderland’s rebuilding project.
What was the score of the most recent Sunderland vs Liverpool match?
Recap of the latest fixture
- Date: 12 February 2026
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Result: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (ESPN)
Match highlights and key moments
The only goal came in the second half. Liverpool dominated possession but faced stubborn resistance from a Sunderland side fighting for Championship survival points. The win kept Liverpool on track for a top-four finish (SportoweFakty (Polish sports media)). Video highlights are available on YouTube (official Premier League channel).
The implication: even at home, Sunderland could not breach a Liverpool side that has made defensive consistency its hallmark. For Liverpool, the three points were necessary in a tight title race.
Where do Sunderland and Liverpool currently stand in their respective leagues?
Liverpool’s position in the Premier League table
- Liverpool compete in the Premier League, the top tier of English football (Premier League (official league site)).
- As of the latest data, Liverpool were contending for Champions League qualification in the 2025-26 season.
Sunderland’s standing in the Championship
- Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League after the 2024-25 season and currently play in the EFL Championship.
- A snapshot from BILD showed Sunderland in 12th place with 36 points after 27 matches in the 2025-26 Championship season (9 wins, 9 draws, 9 losses, goal difference -5).
Why this matters: the two clubs now operate in entirely different financial and competitive realities. Sunderland’s aim is promotion; Liverpool’s is silverware.
What are the predicted lineups for Sunderland vs Liverpool?
Typical formation and key players for Liverpool
- Liverpool’s usual formation in 2025-26 has been 4-3-3, with key players including their established attacking trio and midfield anchors (Fotmob (live scores & stats)).
Sunderland’s expected starting XI
- Sunderland have typically fielded a 4-2-3-1 under their current manager, relying on pace in wide areas and a physical centre-forward (Fotmob).
Exact lineups for future fixtures are not confirmed until matchday, but Fotmob provides projected XIs based on recent form and injuries.
How can I watch Liverpool vs Sunderland live?
Official broadcast partners in different regions
- In the UK, Premier League matches are broadcast by Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime. For Championship matches, Sky Sports is the primary rights-holder.
- In the US, NBC Sports/Peacock hold Premier League rights; ESPN+ carries some EFL games.
Streaming options and kickoff time
- Kickoff times vary by round. Always check Premier League (official broadcasters page) for up-to-date listings.
For a future fixture, fans should confirm the date and competition (league or cup) first.
What are the key head-to-head statistics for Liverpool vs Sunderland?
Overall win percentage
- Liverpool’s win percentage in the Premier League head-to-head is 56% (19 wins in 34 meetings) (Ballterminal).
- Sunderland’s win percentage is 9% (3 wins).
Home vs away performance
- At Anfield, Liverpool have won 12 of 17 home matches against Sunderland (Sports Mole).
- At the Stadium of Light, the head-to-head is closer: Liverpool have 7 wins, Sunderland 2 wins, and 8 draws in Premier League meetings.
The trade-off: Sunderland’s best chance for points has always been at home, but even there Liverpool have won more often than not since 2012.
All historical data predates Sunderland’s 2025 relegation. Any future meeting will likely come in a cup competition, where lower-league sides have a one-off chance to upset the odds. Until Sunderland return to the Premier League, the head-to-head record becomes a museum piece.
For Sunderland, the task is not just to close the gap on the pitch but to rebuild a squad capable of competing at the Premier League level.
Timeline: key moments in Sunderland vs Liverpool history
- 1894-95 – First recorded meeting in the First Division (all-time series begins) (Sports Mole (football statistics site)).
- 20 August 2005 – Liverpool beat Sunderland 1-0 at Anfield in the Premier League (FBref (stathead history)).
- 13 April 2002 – Liverpool win 1-0 at the Stadium of Light (FBref).
- 10 March 2012 – Sunderland’s last victory, 1-0 at home (Football.co.uk (English football stats)).
- 2024-25 – Sunderland relegated from Premier League to Championship after finishing 18th (BILD (German sports outlet)).
- 12 February 2026 – Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool – latest meeting (SportoweFakty (Polish sports media)).
Clarity check: what we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Liverpool have 19 wins, Sunderland 3 wins, 7 draws in Premier League head-to-head (Ballterminal)
- Most recent result: 0-1 Liverpool on 12 Feb 2026 (ESPN)
- Liverpool scored 48 goals in Premier League meetings (AiScore)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of Sunderland’s last win before March 2012 – some sources differ on the precise streak length (Football Express News)
- All-time totals vary between 172 and 139 meetings depending on dataset inclusion of early cup matches (Sports Mole vs Eurorivals)
- Future lineups and match scheduling for any upcoming fixture are unconfirmed
Expert perspectives
Liverpool have not lost to Sunderland since March 2012, a run of 14 years and 12 matches that highlights the chasm between a Champions League regular and a yo-yo Championship club.
The head-to-head record demonstrates how a single decade can rewrite a fixture’s narrative – from competitive to one-sided.
For Sunderland, the task is not just to close the gap on the pitch but to rebuild a squad capable of competing at the Premier League level. For Liverpool, the fixture has become a reliable three points. The consequence: until Sunderland earn promotion, this rivalry remains frozen in time – a reminder of what was, and what might be again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the complete head-to-head record across all competitions?
In all competitions, Liverpool lead with 80 wins to Sunderland’s 52, with 40 draws (based on 172 meetings since 1894, per Sports Mole). In the Premier League era (34 meetings), Liverpool have 19 wins, Sunderland 3, draws 12.
Why has Sunderland struggled to beat Liverpool in recent years?
Liverpool have not lost to Sunderland since March 2012, a run of 14 years and 12 matches. The gap in squad quality, financial resources, and league standing has made the fixture increasingly one-sided.
What was the specific context of Sunderland’s last win in 2012?
Sunderland beat Liverpool 1-0 on 10 March 2012 at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League. The goal was scored by Nicklas Bendtner. It was Sunderland’s third home win of the season and snapped a run of five league games without a win.
Where do Sunderland play their home games?
Sunderland play their home matches at the Stadium of Light, which has a capacity of nearly 49,000.
Which player has scored the most goals in this fixture?
Specific player goal totals vary across sources, but Liverpool forwards have historically dominated the scoring charts. Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen both scored multiple times against Sunderland. For Sunderland, Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn were frequent scorers in the early 2000s.
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