Luis Suarez scored his first goals since serving his bite ban as Liverpool defeated a mediocre Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light.

The Uruguayan, who was suspended for 10 matches for sinking his teeth into the arm of Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season, hit the target once in either half as Liverpool went second in the Premier League and kept Sunderland rooted to the foot of the table.

Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for the Reds on 28 minutes, heading home from close range, though replays showed that the ball had actually struck his arm.

Eight minutes later, Liverpool doubled their lead through Suarez who, making his first league appearance of the season, stabbed home from Sturridge’s cross.

Brendan Rodgers’s men looked on course for a straightforward victory, but Sunderland rallied after the interval and pulled a goal back when Emanuele Giaccherini finished from close range.

Ki Sung Yueng unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards that proved too hot to handle for Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. His parry fell at the feet of Giaccherini, who was on hand to score.

The Mackems, playing their first match since the sacking of controversial manager Paolo di Canio, continued to press Liverpool, but were in danger of losing their shape as they bounded after the visiting players.
As the game became stretched, chances inevitably arrived.

Jozy Altidore fired in an effort from the edge of the area that Mignolet did well to hold, while Suarez saw a right-footed shot from the edge of the area skim past Keiren Westwood’s upright.

As the match entered the final 10 minutes, Sunderland’s threat waned — hardly surprising for a side that had only managed four league goals all season, with just two of those, including Giaccherini’s, coming at home.

As it was, it was Liverpool who snatched the late goal, the visitors breaking swiftly from the opposition half. Sturridge again fed Suarez, who finished adroitly to seal the three points.