Luis Suarez
Liverpool's Suarez challenges Sunderalnd's Bardsley during their English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool. REUTERS

Sebastian Larsson scored a spectacular volley on his debut to rescue a point for Sunderland at Liverpool on Saturday.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was left to bemoan referee Phil Dowd's decision not to send off Kieran Richardson, after the Sunderland defender brought Luis Suarez down with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Suarez missed the resultant penalty, sending his spot-kick into the stands behind the goal.

But the Uruguayan atoned for his disappointment to divert Charlie Adam's cross past Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal in the 12th minute.

Sunderland rarely threatened in the first half and Liverpool should have been out of sight by the time the half-time whistle blew. Andy Carroll had a goal disallowed after a nudge on Anton Ferdinand, while Stewart Downing hit the crossbar after a superb run in the 34th minute.

But Sunderland improved after the break as Liverpool began to tire. And Larsson capped an impressive debut when he volleyed in Ahmed Elmohamady's right-wing cross.