An emotional week for Liverpool following the Hillsborough revelations ended in a draw at Sunderland.
Reds striker Fabio Borini had two early shots saved before Steven Fletcher tapped in for Sunderland after Craig Gardner's mazy run and cross.
Liverpool came close to a goal when Glen Johnson's shot hit the crossbar and Steven Gerrard fired just wide.
The equaliser eventually came when Luis Suarez sidefooted in after his initial effort came back off Titus Bramble.
Jonjo Shelvey had a late chance for the visitors as they finished the match the stronger but his shot was saved by keeper Simon Mignolet.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by the Hillsborough findings and there was a show of solidarity between the two clubs at the ground, Sunderland flying flags at the Stadium of Light at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Once the match got under way, the Black Cats initially highlighted a lack of creativity and cutting edge from the Reds.
The home side allowed their guests plenty of possession and tried to catch them out on the break as they put up a disciplined defensive barrier.
The strategy almost had to be abandoned early on when defender Carlos Cuellar's tame header back to Mignolet let in Borini, whose shot was blocked by the Black Cats keeper.
Borini had another opening when Suarez touched the ball into his path only for the Italian's first-time shot to be parried away by the alert Mignolet.
But, in the main, Sunderland kept Liverpool comfortably at arm's length and they reaped the rewards when they took the lead with their first real attack.
