An emotional week for Liverpool following the Hillsborough revelations ended in a draw at Sunderland.<br />Reds striker Fabio Borini had two early shots saved before Steven Fletcher tapped in for Sunderland after Craig Gardner's mazy run and cross.<br />Liverpool came close to a goal when Glen Johnson's shot hit the crossbar and Steven Gerrard fired just wide.<br /><br />The equaliser eventually came when Luis Suarez sidefooted in after his initial effort came back off Titus Bramble.<br />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.<br />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.<br />Once the match got under way, the Black Cats initially highlighted a lack of creativity and cutting edge from the Reds.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.
