As you can see, the opening 20 minutes have seen Liverpool have a lot of ball but as Roberto Firmino lashes a shot over from 25 yards, it's safe to say they have not cut Sunderland open. Steven Pienaar's half-chance is the best opening so far.

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A high ball is pumped back into the Liverpool area after the home side clear a corner and it causes mayhem.

Steven Pienaar brings it down without ever getting it under full control. He has a shot, 10 yards out and Loris Karius has to rush to block, conceding a corner. Had Pienaar got that under his spell more he'd have had the time to pick a spot rather than rush the effort.

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Georginio Wijnaldum picks up a great position 20 yards out and unmarked but his shot is not close enough to the corner and Jordan Pickford saves. A half chance for sure. The ex-Newcastle man almost got too much curl on it and it ended up bending back towards the keeper.

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In today's Daily Mail there's a nice piece on Victor Anichebe, external and specifically on the training he did this summer to try and get in shape and earn a contract with someone. It's paid off as he's found the net in recent weeks. 

Anichebe worked with a Hollywood personal trainer, carrying tyres, doing two workouts a day and generally going through the mill.

The theory was that if he worked to exhaustion and then did some finishing practise it would mean he can perform well late on in matches. You've been warned Liverpool.

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Sadio Mane attacks down the Liverpool right. He has a trick or two up his sleeve but his strength is how direct he is. He tries to attack the box but Steven Pienaar concedes a corner. In it comes, headed clear. Credit to Sunderland, they are defending without panic so far.

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There is a bit of talent in the Liverpool directors' box. 

I bet Kenny Dalglish can still play a mean five-a-side and Steven Gerrard, well, I'd have him in my team for the weekly BBC five v five every day.

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Didier Ndong has a key role for Sunderland today in showing energy in front of their back four. He presses well to force Liverpool back but the Reds come again. They attack the Anfield Road End and this looks like it will be the pattern. Steven Pienaar briefly gets a feel of the ball but his prod forward would require Victor Anichebe to turn into Usain Bolt if something were to come of it.

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Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on 5 live

Sunderland have got no chance. Simple as. Look, they have gone on a decent run and won their last two league games. Teams have been trying to park the bus at Anfield all season but Liverpool manage to get through.

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Philippe Coutinho weaves through midfield, he's looking dangerous here... good tackle from Lamine Kone. Excellent challenge 20 yards from goal and Sunderland break through Duncan Watmore. Nice ball to Jermain Defoe but he squanders possession in trying to play a killer pass through the home defence. A good energy to this one.

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Duncan Watmore picks up a headed clearance to shoot from 20 yards but his touch is a bit heavy, allowing defenders to get out and block his effort instantly.

Steven Gerrard isn't the only former player at Anfield this afternoon...

"Come on Liverpool, entertain me!"

A lively start by the home side sees James Milner force a corner but it confidently plucked from the air by Jordan Pickford. Confidence booster.

We are under way. If you are just joining us, Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged Premier League team for the first time in 41 matches.

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Sunderland made two changes as John O'Shea and Steven Pienaar come in.

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You'll Never Walk Alone rings out around Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's breath can be seen exiting his mouth on this bitterly cold day. We are ready to go...

Liverpool's former captain Steven Gerrard is in the directors' box while their current captain has been visiting his old dressing room.

As someone who has spent about 14 years in Liverpool, I feel confident in stating this is the least-Scouse haircut ever. Absolutely zero doubt.

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The wonderful tunes of Deacon Blue are playing around Anfield. The Scottish band are playing in the Echo Arena tonight and I was lucky enough to end up sat next to them in a cafe yesterday lunchtime. 

A banner is passed around the fans at the ground as we await the players and Liverpool's owners are in their seats. John W. Henry and Tom Werner are wrapped up warm. I hope they get to Deacon Blue tonight, they'd love it.

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Jurgen Klopp is out on the pitch eyeballing the warm-up which is just about to end. Sunderland-born Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson high-fives Sadio Mane and Joel Matip.

At the other end, Jermain Defoe is on his toes jogging. Quite the pro is JD. Today's papers pack plenty of stories on his dedication to the game. He's a green tea drinker and does not touch alcohol. He even asks for white wine sauce to be taken off his food., external

I'm as committed to life diet-wise. I ask for the pastry extra-thin when I order a pie.

I can confirm Dejan Lovren is sporting what I guess we will call a goatee. 

Some well manicured facial hair around the lips area. I'll try to bring you images of this sin as soon as I can.

For now though Liverpool fans, missing this bloke? Want him back? Thought so.

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