Right that's Premier League football in 2015 over with. It has been one heck of an unpredictable end to the year, setting things up nicely for the start of 2016. That (in Premier League football terms) begins on Saturday. 

Have a Happy New Year and see you on the other side!

The table makes for pleasant reading for Liverpool fans, not so much for Sunderland supporters.

Will they stay up? A tough, tough ask.

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Are Liverpool title contenders? Jurgen Klopp stopped short of saying they are but the Reds are level on points with Manchester United who, for much of the season, have been tipped as challengers...

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A bit more from Big Sam: "Some encouragement, seeing the lads battling and fighting for themselves and trying to get a win or at least a point but a bit of misfortune just after half-time took it away from us.

"I thought the lads tried their best and you can't ask for more than that.

"We need to try and strengthen the squad. That work has already started but it is very, very difficult. Hopefully we will be successful sooner rather than later in January."

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was the luckiest touch of Adam Lallana, straight to Christian Benteke's path. He hit it into the floor and it took a bounce over Vito Mannone's legs. A couple of slices of luck but when you are down and out things go against you."

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BBC Sport: "Three points, really hard work. This time of the year is really intense, the players have to fight really hard with games every few days.

"It is not the best we can do, we know this, but we had to fight. We knew about Sunderland's situation. Everyone wants to end the year positively, we can and Sunderland can't but we take these points, go home, sleep two times and onto the next game.

"Football is a lot of things. You have to develop your style but at the end you need results. It is a good day."

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A good end to a good year for Simon Mignolet statistically. Sixteen clean sheets in 2015, although he won't have had many easier games than this one.

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

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"Liverpool were the better side across the 90 minutes and had glorious chances to finish the game.

"For Sunderland, the confidence and belief went after conceding just 22 seconds into the second half and they never really threatened the Liverpool goal after that."

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Drama at the end, but Liverpool hold on to take victory. A happy end to 2015 for Liverpool, who move level on points with sixth-place Manchester United.

For Sunderland, it is a fifth straight defeat. A miserable end to a miserable first half of the season. 

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Just over the head of Vito Mannone! 

A late, late corner for Sunderland and one of the greatest sights in football ensues. The keeper is up!

Kolo Toure with what may be his only touch of the game, smacks the ball out of play. 

Still, play goes on...

Jurgen Klopp doesn't want to give Sunderland the chance to get back into this. He brings on Kolo Toure for Roberto Firmino, who is in no rush to go off.

Christian Benteke is through on goal, surely 2-0? 

He's played through just inside his own half and races towards goal, he just has the keeper to beat...shoots straight at him. Terrible miss.

This is depressing stuff from Sunderland, they look a beaten team. There's no urgency or desire to get back into this game.

Four minutes of stoppage time but plenty of Sunderland fans have had enough and have made for the exit.

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This should have been game, set and match. 

Jordon Ibe has all the time in the world as he receives the ball inside the area from Roberto Firmini. Ibe works some space for himself but shoots over from eight yards. 

Should have got it on target at least.

Ooof. A nasty challenge by Jeremain Lens on Mamadou Sakho. The Liverpool defender is down on the ground and it is a nervy moment for the visitors. Sakho has been great tonight but eventually he is up and good to continue.

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 Jurgen Klopp makes a change as Philippe Coutinho is replaced by Jordon Ibe for the final few minutes of the game.