LIVERPOOL'S title charge burst as a BALLOON stunned them at Sunderland.
Darren Bent's third-minute shot took a huge deflection as it flew past helplesss keeper Pepe Reina.
The balloon was thrown onto the pitch by a LIVERPOOL fan just seconds before the goal.
The Reds were fuming and protested about the incident but the strike stood.
t leaves Rafa Benitez's side in eighth in the Premier League and SEVEN points behind leaders Chelsea.
Sunderland started brightly and midfielder Andy Reid sliced his left-foot effort high and wide inside the opening minutes.
But Bent was on target for Sunderland's bizarre opener.
The striker picked up the ball just inside the box and hit his shot directly at Kop keeper Pepe Reina.
However, it struck the balloon in front of Reina, confusing the Spaniard, who dived the wrong way as the ball flew into the net.
Liverpool were furious and protested to referee Mike Jones and his assistant but any claims fell on deaf ears.
The Reds were furious, and it could have got worse as Lorik Cana met Reid's corner with a firm header but he missed the target.
Craig Gordon saved well from Ryan Babel before Bent tested Reina soon after.
Yossi Benayoun had a shot deflected wide and Fabio Aurelio also went close with a free-kick.
Liverpool tried to press for the leveller but the hosts responded by attacking.
Reid almost caught out Reina with a wind-assisted set piece before Bent fired wide.
Sunderland might have doubled their lead when Kenwyne Jones slid in Bent, who rounded Reina before shooting, but the keeper recovered in time to save.
Bent was in again when he latched on to a weak header to beat Reina to the ball and shoot against the foot of the post.
Bruce and Benitez became involved in a furious row on the sidelines as the injured Jones was treated on the pitch.
But the fourth official eventually separated the pair as tensions grew.
Benitez made a number of switches as the match went on but his side could not muster the equaliser they desperately wanted.
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, McCartney (Henderson 46), Malbranque, Cana, Cattermole (Zenden 58), Reid, Bent, Jones (Campbell 66). Subs Not Used: Fulop, Nosworthy, Da Silva, Healy. Booked: Cana, Reid. Goals: Bent 5.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel (Voronin 72), Carragher, Babel (Ngog 81), Lucas, Aurelio, Spearing (Mascherano 72), Benayoun, Kuyt. Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Riera, Insua, Kelly. Booked: Kuyt.
Att: 47,327
Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
