Second-half goals from sub Divock Origi and James Milner gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.
Origi, who came on as a first-half substitute, squeezed the ball home from the edge of the area to break the deadlock with just 15 minutes remaining, before Milner netted a stoppage-time penalty to wrap up the points.
In an uneventful, goalless first period, there was a worry for Liverpool as in-form Philippe Coutinho was brought off on a stretcher with a foot injury.
The result meant Liverpool went top of the Premier League briefly on Saturday afternoon, before Chelsea returned to the summit with a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool were unchanged for the first time in 40 Premier League games under Jurgen Klopp, but his side struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half.
It was Sunderland who had the best chance of the half, with Steven Pienaar failing to capitalise on a mix-up in the Liverpool defence, seeing his close-range effort blocked by Loris Karius.
There was a big concern for the Reds as Coutinho was taken off on a stretcher with an injury to his right foot after kicking the boot of Lamine Kone.
Dejan Lovren had Liverpool's best chance of the first period, heading wide unmarked at the far post from Jordan Henderson's free-kick, before Jordan Pickford saved well down low from Sadio Mane's shot on the turn.
Georginio Wijnaldum's mis-hit volley was inches away from Milner's boot after the break, before Jordan Pickford did superbly to block Roberto Firmino's low effort at the near post.
There was a bizarre moment on the sidelines as Liverpool struggled to break down Sunderland, with Reds manager Klopp berating his own fans for groaning at his side, forcefully gesturing for them to turn their frustration into encouragement.
It nearly worked instantly, but Emre Can's half-volley fell inches wide of the right-hand post, before Duncan Watmore's heavy touch allowed Karius to block the ball at his feet after he had been put through on goal by Victor Anichebe.
Liverpool finally broke the deadlock on 75 minutes through Origi, who shaped to cross from an acute angle on the edge of the area, but instead found the far corner of Pickford's goal with a superb effort.
The Reds, who had 78 per cent possession at Anfield, got a second in injury time as Didier Ndong hacked down Mane as he raced into the area.
Milner stepped up and made no mistake, sending Pickford the wrong way, and secured a vital three points for Klopp's men in their bid for the Premier League title.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Karius (6), Clyne (6), Lovren (6), Matip (7), Milner (7), Henderson (7), Can (7), Wijnaldum (6), Coutinho (6), Mane (6), Firmino (6)
Subs: Lucas (NA), Woodburn (NA), Origi (7)
Sunderland: Pickford (7), Jones (6), Van Aanholt (6), O'Shea (6), Kone (6), Pienaar (6), Denayer (5), Ndong (5), Watmore (6), Anichebe (6), Defoe (5)
Subs: Januzaj (5), Gooch (5)
Man of the match: Divock Origi