Luis Suarez scored twice and set up another goal as Liverpool beat Sunderland 3-0 on Wednesday to win consecutive Premier League matches for only the second time this season.
On the same day Liverpool bought Daniel Sturridge to ease the scoring burden on Suarez, the Uruguay forward found the net in the 26th and 52nd minutes for his 14th and 15th league goals of the season - one behind leading scorer Robin van Persie.
Raheem Sterling gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead in the 19th at Anfield after receiving Suarez's lobbed pass and then calmly chipping the goalkeeper.
Liverpool, which won 3-0 at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, has now risen two spots to eighth in the standings, seven points behind fourth-place Chelsea but having played a match more.
Sunderland stayed 14th, four points above the relegation zone.
