Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Liverpool against Sunderland at Anfield. We’ll bring you build-up and team news over the next hour, followed by full text commentary.

Sunderland have been slightly more open since the break, committing a few more bodies forward to support Defoe. It's still not exactly Barcelona-esque, but it's going to cause the Liverpool defence a few more problems.

Sunderland get the second half underway.

The final whistle goes to end the first half. Liverpool have been in complete control, but have rarely troubled Mannone in the Sunderland goal, whereas Big Sam will be pretty happy with how the game is unfolding. At the break at Anfield it's Liverpool 0, Sunderland 0.

Van Aanholt slides in and very nearly diverts a Lallana cross into his own net. It was a hugely dangerous situation, but the full-back just got enough on it to clear the bar. He receives multiple pats on the back from relieved teammates.

Joe Allen has picked up a niggle now. On comes Jordan Ibe in his place. That means one of Sturridge and Benteke will be stuck on the bench.

M'Vila produced a brilliant bit of skill to pirouette into space, but his shot at the end of it flies over the bar as he is caught by Henderson. It's a free-kick to the Black Cats, right on the cusp of half-time.

What on earth is Moreno doing? A Lallana cross is flicked on towards the full-back, who is in-front of his marker at the back post but for some reason goes for a low header... and succeeds only in looping the ball over the bar from six yards out. That should have been 1-0. Bizarre.

Firmino is a seriously decent player. The Brazilian controls on his chest and turns into space before unleashing a shot that fizzes narrowly over the bar.

Khazri juggles the ball in attempt to get away from Clyne in the corner, but the full-back gives him a little shove and the ball deflects behind. The assistant points for a corner rather than a foul, which enrages the Sunderland man.

The Liverpool fans are starting to voice their displeasure. If the game continues like this then it could be more than just the ticket price protestors who walk out on 77 minutes.

N'Doye goes into the book for catching Toure with an elbow. It was unintentional, but looked like it hurt.

A Liverpool corner is flicked up at the near post, but drifts out harmlessly on the far side.

Firmino is the one Liverpool player trying to inject some pace into the game, but he can't do it all on his own and is crowded out on the edge of the box.

It would be understandable if Defoe was starting to feel a bit lonely up top for the visitors. He's barely seen his Sunderland team-mates up with him in the Liverpool half so far today.

Talking of slow and laborious...

Not really, I like Joe Allen. Tidy footballer. He's not going to worry Big Sam's giant Sunderland defence much though.

Klopp will be in agony watching this... and not just because of the appendicitis. It's slow and laborious from the home side.