I Just....I Just....I Just: Sunderland 1 - Liverpool 1

There is no other way that I can find to write this wrap again and make it sound new. You know the drill by now. Blah blah blah lots of possession. Yadda yadda yadda create more chances but don't finish them. Blarg blarg blarg hit the woodwork at least once. Woof woof woof get sucker punched. Na na na na another result not really worthy of the performance or to make you feel good.

I guess the difference today is that Liverpool were able to fight back and find an equalizer, which they haven't done in a long time. I believe the last time they did in the league was against Villa last April, but don't quote me on that. Still, didn't threaten a winner much, which was disappointing. Let's get to the bullets and move on to Thursday.

-I don't know if it speaks to the hopeful, precocious promise of Raheem Sterling that he was the best player on the pitch, or to the dreariness of the team around him that he stands out so much. In the end, it is probably both. But now he's got his first assist in the first team. May there be many more, though it cam off an underwhelming final ball that Titus Bramble....Titus Brambled into Suarez's path. That final ball will need work, but the rest of it is there.

-Simply awful defending from just about everyone for Sunderland's one shot and goal. Glen Johnson let the cross come in too easily, Suarez was too easily bypassed, Reina once again came for a ball he didn't get to, and Skrtel was caught flat-footed. At least they're learning to share the blame now.

-What would we do for a striker in the form of Fletcher right now who only needs one chance to score, though?

-Steven Gerrard at least looked somewhat bothered. Sad to day that's an improvement. He was deployed deeper today, behind Shelvey. I don't know if that's a good thing, because it gives him more space and time to try passes that aren't there. But his brain and instincts are probably better suited to cover for the missing Lucas than either Sahin or Shelvey are.

-Shelvey makes things happen, but the things he tends to make happen are wayward shots. Still, creative and willing. That's a lot to work with.

-Against better teams, Joe Allen's harrying ways will cost the Reds, just as it did against Arsenal. While his effort is admirable, it sometimes leaves the defense completely unshielded where taking up a more solid and conservative position would be the better option You just dream of how secure it'll look when Lucas returns to give him that security. But that's a long way off.

-Ok, still waiting on our Fabio Borini job description. We'll be here whenever you get it to us.

-Why'd they switch around the away supporters' end and the home supporters end at The Stadium of Light That's Not In Lisbon?

-Glen Johnson had his best game going forward, but good god was he a rodeo going the other way.

Onto Europe Thursday. Hard to say if that makes things better.