Image source, PA

Vito Mannone wants to take a free-kick quickly but Christian Benteke doesn't want him to. 

His attempt to block the Sunderland keeper results in the Liverpool striker picking up the first booking of the game.  

BBC Newcastle's Sunderland summariser Gary Bennett: "The key for Sunderland is the service into Defoe. He's not going to win many headers in the air. He will need the ball down the sides or into feet."

Image source, PA

Chance at the other end as Philippe Coutinho bends a free-kick over the wall, over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Some Liverpool fans are caught out, with their viewing angle in the away end making it look like it had gone in, and celebrate prematurely. The Sunderland fans take great pleasure in correcting them.

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

"That is what Jermain Defoe can do, something out of nothing. He turned and ran at the defence, forcing Simon Mignolet into a save."

It has been all Liverpool but Sunderland go closest to opening the scoring with their first shot on target.

Jermain Defoe does it all himself, receiving a pass with his back to goal before scampering along the edge of the area before driving an effort towards the top corner, forcing Simon Mignolet to palm over.

Liverpool appear to be trying to overcome a packed Sunderland defence by shooting from distance. 

Nathaniel Clyne hit a good effort earlier and Philippe Coutinho is not far off now, firing just wide from 30 yards or so.

Liverpool are pushing really high in the opening stages of this match. Is that the infamous gegenpressing style of play in action?

Roberto Firmino (11) is almost playing as a partner to striker Christian Benteke (9) for Liverpool.

Image source, Opta

Plenty of live football for you to get your teeth into tonight, if you fancy some Scottish Premiership football then head here or if you are after something with a bit more of a European flavour to it, then Barcelona v Real Betis is here.

How nervous does the Sunderland defence look!? 

Sebastian Coates produces some shocking defending as he passes straight to Philippe Coutinho, who charges forward before feeding a pass to Roberto Firmino, in space and inside the area but he fluffs his control, knocking the ball onto his knee with his left foot and out of play.

I'm not sure whose face is redder after that, Coates or Firmino's.

Cracking start to this game as Liverpool attack again. 

This time, Nathaniel Clyne lets fly with an effort from 35 yards. Well struck, but straight at Vito Mannone.

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

Image source, Getty Images

"Sunderland have started brightly. You would expect that with Sam Allardyce telling them to get at Liverpool. The Reds backline is a little suspect and the home fans will back the players for the first 10 minutes. Then we will have to wait and see.

"Sunderland need something, a few long balls over the top for Jermain Defoe maybe? Just show some fighting spirit."

Good from Sunderland as they respond to that Liverpool attack with one of their own. Jermain Defoe almost skips past Mamadou Sakho just inside the aera but is crowded out before he can shoot.

Sunderland have conceded early doors in their last few games and already they look nervous as Liverpool attack.

Alberto Moreno swings in a cross from the left, which Wes Brown heads down tamely inside his own area. Adam Lallana picks up the loose ball but can't squeeze through the congested defence.

Image source, Reuters

Sunderland get things up and running at the Stadium of Light. 

What does the final Premier League game of 2015 have in store for us?

Image source, Getty Images

There's a minutes silence before kick-off as Sunderland remember those connected with the club who passed away in 2015.

Five minutes until kick-off. The teams are in the tunnel, so here's a reminder of the line-ups.

Damien Davis: 5 words for Tottenham Hotspur: Going To Win The League

Kingsmann81: "Chelsea full of poisonous snakes"

Elliot: Five words to sum up Aston Villa this year..."can I have a refund?"

Sum up how 2015 has been for your team in five words. Tweet your team, and your five words to #bbcfootball., external

Interesting stat. 

Reading what Big Sam says, it seems Sunderland aren't planning to be too adventurous tonight so a good chance for Simon Mignolet to keep a 16th clean sheet of the year. Who'd have thought it?