Another fantastic save from Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Roberto Firmino links up well with Daniel Sturridge, who curls an effort at goal. It is going in, until Mannone gets a hand to it to keep it out.

That man Jack Rodwell is doing his best to end that unfortunate stat. He drives an effort at goal which is pushed away well by a diving Simon Mignolet.

Moments later Rodwell becomes the first man to be cautioned after clattering into Emre Can.

A good game this one so far, with both goalkeepers having to make two saves each.

This may not be the news Sunderland fans want to hear. But every time Jack Rodwell has started any of his past 33 games for Sunderland, the team have not won the match.

Will that run continue today?

Vito Mannone could well be busy today, and he has just made two good saves to keep it goalless.

His first stop denies Daniel Sturridge's low attempt before the Italian tips over a curling effort from Georginio Wijnaldum, who netted the winner against Manchester City two days ago.

Our first shot of the day comes from the hosts and Jermain Defoe, who has scored nine of Sunderland's 17 Premier League goals, has a fierce effort from just outside the penalty area. However, Simon Mignolet, against his former side, dives low to his right to hold on to the effort.

Image source, Getty Images

Looking at that Clyne cross again, Seb Larsson who conceded a penalty in the 4-1 loss at Burnley on Saturday, had a hold of the Liverpool defender's shirt in the penalty area before the cross.

But referee Anthony Taylor takes no action. Larsson may well have got away with one there.

A sign of things to come? Sunderland are defending deep with Liverpool dominating early pressure. An early low cross from Nathaniel Clyne causes a bit of panic at the back before it is hacked to safety. Jermain Defoe is the lone striker for Sunderland. He may well not see much of the ball today.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is a special day for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. It's his 50th Premier League game in charge of the Reds. He has 26 wins, 13 draws and 10 defeats in the previous 49.

John Hartson
Ex-Wales striker on Final Score

Liverpool aren't playing too badly. What's interesting about Liverpool is they will lose Sadio Mane, their top goalscorer, to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Spurs... you cannot say Chelsea have got it already. We are only half way through. 

You would be brave to go against Chelsea, they have some players at the top of their game, but you can't rule against anyone else at this time. You can't give them the title now.

Image source, Getty Images

And here we go.

Image source, Reuters

The top three names won't be a surprise to anyone, but what a 2016 Jermain Defoe had, personally certainly, maybe not team-wise.

Sunderland only maintained their Premier League status in the penultimate game of last season and Defoe has got nine of his side's 17 league goals this campaign.

But there is speculation linking the striker with a move away from the north east, but surely the Black Cats' survival hopes depend on keeping their main man.

Image source, Rex Features

The players are out on the pitch. It won't be long now. It is a packed house of 46,000 at the Stadium of Light. There has not been much for the Sunderland fans to cheer this season. Will that change today?

Image source, PA

A seriously ill five-year-old boy who took to the pitch for his beloved Sunderland has won Match of the Day's Goal of the Month award.

Bradley Lowery, who has neuroblastoma, took part in the warm-up against Chelsea on 14 December.

A campaign saw fans call for the strike to be given the accolade.

The youngster, of Blackhall, County Durham, was named joint-winner alongside Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Bradley's mum, Gemma, tweeted: "Brad just woke up and watched #MOTD2 and found out he got #goalofthemonth he is over the moon".

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator

Image source, Reuters

"Liverpool ended 2016 still in touch with Chelsea and it's imperative they begin the new year in similar fashion.

"The victory over Manchester City was another psychological boost, now they face a physical test with another game in less than 48 hours. Belief is building all the time, as is momentum, and they will be confident of a third win in a row on the road.

"David Moyes will be desperate for some sort of Sunderland reaction, having labelled their defending in the defeat at Burnley as 'shambolic'.

"The very least the Wearside public expect is evidence of effort and fight - they will need both in abundance against Jurgen Klopp's side."

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton winger on BBC Radio 5 live

David Moyes has been quite forthright and very open with his interviews. Sometimes a little bit too honest.

They were shambolic defensively the other day - something I have seen often this season. It is very untypical of David Moyes’ sides. The way he works on the back four defensively, the unit of the side, back to front.

They will have to be very tight today, because Liverpool with the way they are playing could hurt them very badly.

For David Moyes, this window it is probably going to be free transfers, maybe loan moves. I can’t see him being given an abundance of money to go on and strengthen the side.

Image source, Rex Features

Look away Black Cats fans.

Sunderland have won only three of their 31 Premier League matches against Liverpool (drew 10, lost 18) - all three of those victories came at home, most recently in March 2012. 

Image source, Getty ima

As always we want your thoughts on the action. Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcfootball to get your message on this page.

Oliver Viney: Sunderland's season to go down. Players simply not good enough quality, Pickford and Defoe aside.

Paree Plays Football: I think Sunderland can only stay up if Defoe keeps on performing and they did what they did last year and scrape through.

Some quotes from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, as his side look for a fifth consecutive Premier League victory.

"We have to do what we have to do," says Klopp, whose side beat Sunderland 2-0 at Anfield in November.

"We had 70-80% possession in our last match against them, they defended well and deep and that made it difficult.

"I have no idea if they will do the same today but we expect a difficult game."

Image source, Rex Features

So what can we expect from Sunderland today?

Boss David Moyes is demanding an improved performance after their 4-1 loss at Burnley on Saturday.

"A personal reaction would be good, a team reaction would be even better," said Moyes.

On the absences of defender Lamine Kone and striker Victor Anichebe, Moyes adds: "They are both massive misses. Lamine at the back has been strong for us and Victor as well at the other end. They are both big misses, but hopefully we can find a way to win.

"But I knew we would get a team out and we have to play well against an in-form Liverpool. I'm hopeful and always expect my team to win.

"We will need to defend at long stages against Liverpool but we have people that can deal with it."

Image source, Rex Features

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

Manager David Moyes said himself that Sunderland were "dire" at Burnley. There is no doubt they were, but you also have to say they are running out of players.

Apart from Jermain Defoe, many of their best players are injured. The Sunderland public realise what the problems are, and a lot of them are not to do with Moyes.

They will set up to be hard to beat and probably will be, but Liverpool will have too much. This will be Sadio Mane's last game for the Reds before the Africa Cup of Nations but they have enough players to come in and fill the gap for the month of January.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Each week Lawro predicts the results of the Premier League matches. For the latest games he takes on comedian Arron Crascall. Click here to see the full predictions.

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Image source, Rex Features