Such has been the adulation cast upon Michael Owen in a short and meteoric career that the harsh and unforgiving boos that rang around the Stadium of Light presented one of the greatest challenges of his life.
Idolised during the last World Cup, Owen now had to share the burden of a nation's disgust that followed England's stumbling Wembley defeat against Scotland. It left him angry and bewildered.
Owen did what he had to do; he got even. Whatever England's impending confusion, he emphasised that he has the attributes of a survivor. The 63rd-minute goal, which condemned Sunderland to their first home defeat for a year, was a wonderful reaffirmation of his talent - a goal, according to his manager Gerard Houllier, "that only he will score".
Jody Craddock, recalled from a loan spell at Sheffield United, had been impressive throughout. He is also no slouch. But he was overcome by Owen's searing pace as they contested Sami Hyypia's long punt forward, and three times his attempts to recover met solid resistance. Owen's gentle finish was almost mocking.
It would be convenient to depict this victory as further proof of Liverpool's rehabilitation. They are now seven games unbeaten and Sunderland, fast and feisty, will demand fortitude from all who visit Wearside this season.
Convenient, but a little too convenient. Sunderland, making light of five suspensions, should have had the game won long before Owen struck. Niall Quinn was a towering presence in the air and forever resourceful on the deck. His improvement late in his career has been staggering. Liverpool intelligently cut off Quinn's supply route before halftime, but even then the Irishman might have tipped things Sunderland's way, expertly turning Stephane Henchoz only for his chip to be cleared off the line by Rigobert Song.
When Sunderland shook themselves free immediately after half-time, Kevin Phillips, heading wide from Nicky Summerbee's cross, and Eric Roy, whose side-foot was well saved by Sander Westerveld, also spurned excellent chances. Instead, Owen's goal brought an escape route, and David Thompson's zestful late introduction became the source of a second goal from Patrik Berger.
SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, Williams, Butler, Craddock, Gray, Summerbee, Rae (Reddy 84), Roy, McCann, Phillips, Quinn. Subs Not Used: Marriott, Holloway, Fredgaard, Thirlwell. Booked: McCann, Rae, Butler.
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld, Song, Henchoz, Hyypia, Matteo, Gerrard (Thompson 81), Hamann, Redknapp, Murphy (Meijer 74), Berger, Owen (Heggem 90). Subs Not Used: Friedel, Traore. Booked: Henchoz, Gerrard, Thompson. Goals: Owen 63, Berger 85.
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury).
