Liverpool earns nervy 2-1 win over Sunderland

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) Liverpool moved to within a point of Premier League leader Chelsea with a nervy 2-1 win over Sunderland that was sealed by goals from Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge on Wednesday.

Ki Sung-yeung's 76th-minute header for relegation-threatened Sunderland ensured a tense finish at Anfield, with Liverpool forced to hang on to stay in strong contention for a first league title since 1990.

Gerrard's 25-meter free kick in the 39th gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break and it looked like they would saunter to victory after Sturridge's deflected goal in the 48th. It did not turn out that way.

Liverpool's seventh straight league win lifted the team two points above Manchester City, which has two games in hand.