Liverpool work the ball well some 40 yards from goal and Nathaniel Clyne bursts into the area. Not for the first time today we see a heavy touch and John O'Shea edges him out of play. Good defending and that's a goal-kick.

The sides emerge from the bowels of the Main Stand and Liverpool will be attacking the Kop End.

Philippe Coutinho of course taken off in the first half with injury, Divock Origi is leading the line.

Had Daniel Sturridge not picked up a calf complaint this week you'd think he'd be up top now looking to prove his worth to Jurgen Klopp.

What can Sunderland serve up. They showed bags of grit at times in the opening period.

Jermain Defoe has touched the ball just nine times, none of them in the area. Liverpool's goalkeeper Loris Karius has had the ball 15 times. 

Still, Sunderland may well take a quiet day for their front man if they can continue to keep Liverpool at bay.

Image source, .

That's probably a job well done for David Moyes and his players. They look very solid and for all Liverpool's energy, they have created little of meaning.

Jason Denayer has been very good for the away side, spoiling things all the time, as has Didier Ndong. The headline news though is without doubt the fact Philippe Coutinho had to be taken off. Liverpool's creative wizard could be out for a spell.

Image source, Reuters

Joel Matip, who is practically an advanced right-back now, strides forward with Nathaniel Clyne essentially becoming a right-winger. The ball is worked into the area and Sadio Mane can shoot. Easy save for Jordan Pickford.

This is a strange one. Sunderland were offering a bit on the break and had held their own. Then Liverpool see their best player taken off to injury and rather than kick on, Sunderland retreat. 

That said, their bank of defenders cannot be breached and though Dejan Lovren's long-range hit is only just wide, Jordan Pickford had it covered.

We are in added time.

Almost every Sunderland body is clustered around the edge of the box, a white wall of shirts. Roberto Firmino tries to go over them with a clipped cross, Emre Can reaches it this time but there's not much pace on the delivery and he is clearly trying to generate power. It results in a header wide.

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan Henderson begs for the ball from Emre Can in midfield and gets it. On to Sadio Mane but his pass is cut out. This is a solid defensive display by Sunderland so far but they are offering nothing now, they seem happy to get to the break. Every player is deep in their own half but nothing clear cut is being created. Roberto Firmino plays a ball into the box but Can is unable to reach it.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

Coutinho has gone off and it's not looking good at all. He was writhing in agony there and waved at the bench straight away. 

I'm speculating here but it looks like a really bad injury - possibly a broken foot or, at best a twisted ankle. 

That's a massive shame because he is a player Liverpool cannot be without. 

Image source, Reuters

Joel Matip has completed every single one of his 33 passes so far today and as Liverpool enjoy a spell of dominance he finds himself playing midway in the Sunderland half. He looks for options but moves the ball on and Liverpool eventually win a corner off John O'Shea.

Jordan Henderson will take it... he raises his left arm... good near-post delivery... headed over by Emre Can. He got that wrong, a mix of head, ear and shoulder.

The best chance of the game so far falls to Dejan Lovren. He is at the back post and in space from a set-piece delivery but his diving header across goal is a foot wide. A very good opening.

Image source, Getty Images

Jason Denayer had touched the ball just seven times in the opening 30 minutes as he spent his day chasing Philippe Coutinho. Would David Moyes now sacrifice him or can the boy play as well as hassle?

Image source, .

Postpublished at 32 mins

32 mins

Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland

Some more on that Philippe Coutinho injury. Didier Ndong was aggressive in booting the ball clear and with Coutinho's foot the other side of the ball, he took the full follow-through.

Coutinho's heavy touch created the scenario but it looks really unfortunate.

Image source, Reuters

It does not look good for Liverpool or Philippe Coutinho. Concerned faces in the crowd look on as Divock Origi gets ready to come on.

Coutinho's right ankle is strapped as he leaves on a stretcher with one arm covering his eyes.

Image source, AFP

The game opens up for a two-minute spell and that's probably not music to the ears of David Moyes. First Jermain Defoe chases a long punt and goes down in the box. In truth it's just good defending by Joel Matip, using his body.

At the other end, Didier Ndong leaves a bit on Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian is in the area and wants to find space but as he takes a heavy touch, Ndong blasts the ball clear. Coutinho's foot was behind the ball and he took some impact. That hurt.

That's right, one of the referee's assistants (a linesman in old money) has had to be replaced. That's as dramatic as it's been really.

Emre Can produces some excellent work in midfield to drop two Sunderland players but he tries an audacious scoop pass over the top and that's way too heavy.

Sunderland have not won three league games in a row since a four-match streak in April and May 2014. A win here then would send their travelling fans home in a state of delirium. 

Their front men Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe are quiet, just 13 touches between them. Jordan Henderson seeing more ball than anyone with 42 touches.

Patrick van Aanholt is not a man you want to let shoot all too often. He gets his share of goals from left-back. This one is way wide.

Perhaps more importantly though, the Black Cats are in this. They have now forced three corners already at the Kop End.