Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

You may need to refresh the page for YouTube videos and other elements to display correctly.

Here are today’s teams…

We’re underway…

As expected, Liverpool are dominant in terms of possession early on.

Sunderland, as they normally do, are sticking plenty of bodies behind the ball.

Van Aanholt bursts forward but his shot fails to test Mignolet.

Liverpool need to be careful as the full-back has scored a few goals of late.

Another injury setback for Liverpool.

Lovren, who is just back from a hamstring issue, walks off to be replaced by Kolo Toure.

Van Aanholt’s long ball finds the onrushing Defoe.

However, Lovren is well positioned to make a timely challenge.

It’ll be interesting to see if these seats are empty come the 77th minute. The big talking point before today’s game was Liverpool fans’ planned protest at high ticket prices.

Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Moreno finds himself in a decent position, but his cross eludes everyone in the box.

Plenty of patient, probing build-up play from Liverpool, but little in the way of end product so far.

Best chance yet for Liverpool. Lallana wins possession in the final third, before laying it off to the onrushing Moreno.

However, the full-back’s shot is straight at Mannone.

Watmore limps off after falling awkwardly.

The youngster is replaced by N’Doye.

Firmino finds Milner down the left and suddenly the winger has space to exploit.

However, the England international’s cross is intercepted by a very well-positioned John O’Shea.

A couple of groans are audible around Anfield as Liverpool struggle to break down a resolute Sunderland side.

If they were reluctant to pay the soon-to-be higher ticket prices before today’s game, then this uninspired opening half certainly won’t have changed Liverpool fans’ minds.

Good positive play from Milner, who charges forward before narrowly missing out the onrushing Joe Allen with a through ball.

Better from Liverpool.

Lallana finds Milner down the right, but again, John O’Shea is on hand to block the cross.

The Ireland international has been impressive so far today.

A cross finds Moreno free in the box, but the ball bounces just before it reaches him and the full-back awkwardly heads the ball over.

Meanwhile, down the other end, M’Vila wins a free kick in a good position after being fouled cynically by Henderson.

As I type, Jordon Ibe replaces the injured Joe Allen.

Firmino, out of nothing, produces a powerful shot from the edge of the box that goes just over.

Sunderland are playing a dangerous game and are liable to be exposed by a bit of magic, as almost happened there.

HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-0 SUNDERLAND

So half-time, and it’s been very much a cat-and-mouse affair.

Liverpool have patiently probed, but not for the first time this season, have lacked creativity and goalscoring threat in the final third.

Sunderland, while offering little in attack, have been well-organised at the back, with John O’Shea particularly impressive.

Incredible stuff! 81% possession for Liverpool in that first half, but little to show for it.

The second half has begun…

Khazri appears to be playing in a more advanced role closer to Defoe in the second half.

Perhaps an increasingly confident Sunderland are willing to show a bit more attacking ambition in this second half.

Remember, Liverpool have just one sub left to use.

It’ll be interesting to see if they ultimately choose to gamble on Sturridge to get them a goal.

Excellent play from Firmino.

The Brazilian eludes two defenders before producing a powerful shot that just narrowly misses the top corner.

Liverpool fan with a letter of protest to chief executive Ian Ayre over ticket prices. Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Excellent cross by Milner, and Firmino escapes Van Aanholt to head home at the back post.

It’s poor defending from a Sunderland perspective, but Liverpool won’t care.

Mignolet attempts to launch a counter-attack, but throws it straight to Kirchhoff.

The Sunderland man finds Defoe, but the striker drags his shot just wide.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 SUNDERLAND (FIRMINO 59)

A short corner finds Ibe, and the youngster’s shot is deflected over via Billy Jones’ head.

All the momentum is with Liverpool now, and they look odds-on to score a second.

Double save from Mannone, as he keeps out strikes from both Henderson and Ibe.

Sunderland are really on the ropes now.

Adam Johnson replaces Kirchhoff, as Sunderland go in desperate search for as goal.

As I type, Van Aanholt bursts into the box and can only find the side netting when through on goal. Defoe, who was free in the box, is not happy with his teammate’s decision there.

LIVERPOOL 2-0 SUNDERLAND (LALLANA 70)

Firmino capitalises on Billy Jones dwelling on the ball.

The Brazilian runs through on goal, before unselfishly finding Lallana. Consequently, the England international scores with a simple tap-in.

Sam Allardyce looks thoroughly fed up on the sidelines.

He knows this game is beyond Sunderland now.

The exodus begins…

The planned 77th minute walkout is the kind of thing that might happen anyway now (albeit on a lesser scale) with this game all but over.

Billy Jones, perhaps as punishment for his mistake for the second goal, is replaced by USA international DeAndre Yedlin.

Hope for Sunderland with eight minutes to go?

Johnson’s free kick manages to creep in. Mignolet looked at fault judging by the replay there.

A cross from Ibe finds its way to Lallana.

The ex-Southampton man’s powerful strike finds the side-netting.

LIVERPOOL 2-1 SUNDERLAND (JOHNSON 82)

It looks like being a nervy final few minutes for Liverpool, following Johnson’s curling effort from 20 yards.

The Black Cats scarcely deserve something from this game, given how pedestrian they’ve been in attack for much of the 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Lucas has replaced Jordan Henderson for the final few minutes.

Incredible stuff!

Defoe receives the ball on the edge of the box. He wriggles the ball away from Sakho and blasts the ball into the corner of the net.

LIVERPOOL 2-2 SUNDERLAND (DEFOE 89)

Both sides look like they’re going for a winner.

Could we have more late drama?

There will be four minutes of time added on.

With many Liverpool fans having walked out, it’s no surprise that Sunderland supporters can be heard cheering loudly now.

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-2 SUNDERLAND

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and we’ll have more reaction to come.

Wow! Liverpool’s supporters left in the 77th minute and the team might as well have joined them as they completely switched off for the final few minutes.

The defensive lapses that have been apparent in Liverpool’s game all season were evident once again, with Mignolet and Sakho partially at fault for the two late goals.

Similar errors from Sunderland at the back looked to have cost the visitors dearly, but after offering minimal attacking threat for much of the game, the Black Cats came alive in the last few minutes to rescue a point with two well-taken goals.