Hello, and welcome to this evening’s liveblog.

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Here’s the team news for tonight…

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrives at the Stadium of Light. Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

We’re underway…

Pressure from Liverpool early on after some hesitant Sunderland defending.

Can’s pass goes straight out of play and the attacking momentum ends.

Shortly thereafter, Defoe threatens to break through on goal, but Moreno gets a good covering challenge in.

Decent strike from distance by Clyne, but Mannone saves it comfortably enough.

It’s been a lively start to this game.

Coutinho capitalises on a poor pass from Coates.

The midfielder plays it to fellow Brazilian Firmino, but the striker’s touch is woeful, allowing the Sunderland defence to close down the space.

Rodwell’s shot is deflected out for a corner amid roars from the supporters.

The home crowd are certainly up for this game, and the Sunderland players look similarly motivated right now.

Mignolet has to tip over a powerful shot from Defoe, who’s looking sharp tonight.

It’s been a very entertaining start to this game, with both sides going for it.

Firmino’s free-kick dips onto the roof of the net.

The away supporters momentarily think it’s a goal and cheer passionately, before the rest of the ground cheers ironically.

The game has calmed down a bit now after that hectic start.

Sam Allardyce will be relatively content with how his side have managed Liverpool’s talented attack line thus far.

Out of nothing, Firmino produces a superb attempt from distance that comes back off the post via Mannone’s parry.

That’s the closest either side has come to a goal so far.

Sunderland are forced into an early change, with Duncan Watmore replacing the injured Jack Rodwell.

Instantly, he gives the crowd a lift, as he takes the ball and runs purposefully at the Liverpool defence.

Borini turns Lovren and curls a decent attempt just wide.

Sunderland are enjoying a good spell at the moment.

Mannone is tested again, as the goalkeeper gets a strong hand to Firmino’s header.

Sunderland fans are not happy, as there looked to be a handball from a Liverpool player in the build-up to that chance.

Johnson curls a free kick on the edge of the box well over.

Sunderland have been poor in the final third so far.

Half chance as Henderson’s shot at goal is blocked amid a sea of bodies in the box.

The fans then express their disapproval as Sunderland are awarded a free-kick despite seemingly having a chance to launch a counter-attack.

HALF-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Half-time and the game remains finely balanced.

Sunderland have threatened sporadically on the break, while Liverpool have had some decent half chances.

If anyone breaks the deadlock, it is most likely to be the lively Roberto Firmino, who went very close with a pot shot, which Mannone had to tip expertly onto the post.

Overall, Sam Allardyce will be the happier manager, with Liverpool never really getting out of second gear in that first half.

The second half has begun…

SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL (BENTEKE)

An innocuous-looking through pass deflects into the path of Benteke, and the striker makes no mistake with a cool finish.

Liverpool take the lead after juts 22 seconds of the second-half.

Hard to be sure it was deliberate, but if so, Lallana did unbelievably well to cushion Clyne’s through pass into the path of Benteke.

Knowing what he’s capable of on form, the England international may well have intended it.

Sunderland are starting to play with a bit more positivity now that they need to score.

Borini has just been taken down cynically by Can after a promising forward run.

We’re set for an intriguing final half hour.

Jordan Henderson, who appeared to pick up a slight knock in the first half, is replaced by Lucas.

The former Sunderland players goes off to warm applause from the home fans.

Jeremain Lens comes on for Adam Johnson, as Sunderland search for an equaliser.

Lens hasn’t exactly set the world alight since joining the Black Cats in the summer.

Sunderland have been better since the goal, with the majority of the game being played in Liverpool’s half.

However, they’re lacking the necessary creative spark to unlock the Liverpool defence at the moment.

Another injury blow for Sunderland, as Coates is forced off.

Spurs loan starlet DeAndre Yedlin replaces the defender, and slots in at right-back, with Billy Jones moving to centre-back.

Half chance as Liverpool only half clear and Watmore’s volley back into the danger zone is deflected out for a corner.

This looks set to be a tense final 15 minutes or so for Liverpool fans.

Sunderland's Yann M'Vila slides in on Liverpool's Jordan Henderson. Owen Humphreys Owen Humphreys

It’s been surprisingly comfortable for Liverpool in the last few minutes.

Sunderland have toiled away without ever really looking capable of scoring.

As I type, Jordon Ibe replaces Philippe Coutinho.

Gooch is not happy!

Awful tackle from Lens, who miscontrols the ball before diving in on Sakho.

The winger is booked for his indiscretion.

Firmino plays it to Ibe, who takes it past two defenders before hammering the ball woefully over. Liverpool will be hoping they won’t come to regret that.

Meanwhile, Benteke has been named as the man-of-the-match by Sky’s Niall Quinn.

That’s poor from Benteke, who goes through one-on-one, following a superb Firmino through pass, but the striker fails to beat Mannone with all the time in the world.

Liverpool will be really kicking themselves if Sunderland get a last-minute equaliser.

Toure replaces Firmino.

Seconds remain…

FULL-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL

It’s all over, and Liverpool have secured a deserved 1-0 win in a scrappy end-of-year encounter.

It wasn’t pretty from Jurgen Klopp’s side, who never really got out of second gear but still managed to grind out an important win.

Christian Benteke did his confidence no harm, with a composed finish 22 seconds after the break, in a rare moment of attacking quality.

While Sunderland showed no shortage of endeavour, once they conceded, they rarely looked capable of getting back in the game, with even half-chances few and far between.

Liverpool wasted more than one glorious chance to double their advantage, but in the end it didn’t matter, as the Reds held out for a potentially vital three points.

Right, that’s all from me for now, but we have more reaction coming up shortly.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and have a happy New Year.