Sunderland - Liverpool live updates

Dangerous early cross from Clyne, eventually hacked away by Borini as Liverpool threaten early on.

Liverpool playing in their all black away strip today. Sunderland actually almost a 4-4-2, which could allow Liverpool a lot more room. A bit of a tactical surprise from David Moyes.

KICK-OFF! Referee Anthony Taylor blows the whistle to get us underway here at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland setting up 4-3-3, Liverpool likewise.

FIVE MINUTES TO KICK-OFF: The players are in the tunnel and making their way out onto the pitch. A tough afternoon for Sunderland in the offing? More than likely, but who knows!

TEN MINUTES TO KICK-OFF: The Reds have won their last two visits to the Stadium of Light by a 1-0 scoreline, with a new signing scoring the winner both times (Lazar Markovic in 2014-15 and Christian Benteke in 2015-16).

Liverpool finding form on their travels. They have won their last two away games, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions; they last won three in a row without conceding in January 2015 – a run which included a victory at the Stadium on Light.

There will be no Jordan Henderson today. He sits out this game after being substituted with an ankle injury in the win against Manchester City. Philippe Coutinho, Joel Matip and Marko Grujic all remain unavailable through injury.

Liverpool's danger men today: Adam Lallana has made seven assists in the Premier League this season (in 17 appearances); his most ever in a single PL campaign. Daniel Sturridge has scored in each of his last three league appearances against Sunderland, although the most recent of those was on 26 March 2014. Both men start.

Liverpool are looking to strengthen their squad further this month in pursuit of the title.

Sunderland's danger man. Jermain Defoe has scored nine of Sunderland’s 17 Premier League goals this season – three times as many as any other player for the club (Anichebe & van Aanholt, 3). He has scored in 130 different Premier League games; only four players have scored in more - Rooney (147), Lampard (149), Cole (149), Shearer (190).

Despite their dismal 4-1 drubbing against Burnley, Sunderland are a different proposition at home. After a run of five Premier League games without a win at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats have won three of their last four, keeping two clean sheets (L1).

Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool): "It's so difficult in this league, unbelievably difficult. And the next game is waiting already against Sunderland. They fight for the league (status) and for their life. We have to win our games and see where it leads us.”

David Moyes (Sunderland): "We have to get ready, pick ourselves up and we have to go again, sometimes football gives you results when you least expect it, so we’ve got to hope it’s one of those days. We’re going to have to play really well to get a result against Liverpool so we’re not kidding anybody on, but I always said we have a difficult Christmas period. If we play like we did against Burnley we’re not going to get any joy at all.”