Liverpool failed to make significant inroads into Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League table after two Jermain Defoe penalties earned Sunderland a point in an absorbing 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Having cancelled out Daniel Sturridge's opener, the former England striker was again on target from 12 yards after Sadio Mane was penalised for handball having earlier restored Liverpool's lead.
The result leaves Liverpool five points adrift of Chelsea, who have a game in hand, while Sunderland are one point adrift of safety.
Defoe’s deflected low drive called former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet into action for the first time in the sixth minute as the hosts showed some promising early signs after their Burnley horror show on Saturday, but Liverpool have scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this season and the threat at the other end was soon evident.
Vito Mannone got down well to his right to keep out Sturridge, while Georginio Wijnaldum’s curling effort moments later needed palming over the crossbar.
Sturridge was denied again by Mannone but ensured it was a case of third time lucky when he reacted quickest to Dejan Lovren’s scuffed volley from a corner, rising to head the bouncing ball over the Italian keeper and into the net from close range.
Liverpool’s lead lasted just six minutes, though, with Defoe tucking a penalty inside the left-hand post after Didier Ndong was brought down by a combination of Wijnaldum and Ragnar Klavan in the box.
Defoe then squandered an opportunity to put the home side in front when he failed to navigate a way around Mignolet after being sent through on goal, and Fabio Borini’s attempts to pick up the pieces amounted to a poor strike that went well wide.
Can's arm appeared to make clear contact with the ball in the box, but referee Anthony Taylor waved play on.
