Sunderland v Liverpool: Live matchday blog
Follow all the build-up, team news, action, in-game stats, reaction and much more throughout the day in our live blog as Liverpool take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the first game of 2017.
- Sturridge headed Reds in front on 20 minutes.
- Defoe equalised with a penalty soon after.
- Mane restored lead midway through second half.
- Second penalty from Defoe levelled up score on 84 minutes.
- Watch highlights and reaction on LFCTV GO.
You can read the rest of Jürgen Klopp's reaction to today's 2-2 draw at Sunderland by clicking here.
Liverpool lost the services of James Milner and Daniel Sturridge to injury during today's draw at Sunderland - and Jürgen Klopp offered an update on their conditions, as well as the latest on Jordan Henderson's fitness, in his post-match press conference.
And here's how it's impacted the Premier League table..
Here's how the game unfolded in numbers at the Stadium of Light...
Full Time
It's all over at the Stadium of Light and Liverpool are forced to settle for a point after a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
Daniel Sturridge's early header gave the Reds the lead, but they were pegged back via a Jermain Defoe penalty.
Sadio Mane restored the visitors' advantage on 71 minutes, but was then adjudged to have handled Seb Larsson's free-kick inside the area, allowing Defoe to net a second penalty and ensure the points are shared.
Mannone saves from Lallana as Liverpool pile the pressure on here in search of a winner.
Five minutes of added time to be played...
Klavan gets a header to Moreno's free-kick, but it's straight at Mannone.
Goal
Goal - Jermain Defoe
The Sunderland forward scores from the spot for a second time.
Penalty
Penalty to Sunderland
The hosts have a second spot-kick after Larsson's free-kick struck the hand of Mane in the wall.
Substitution
Daniel Sturridge has picked up a knock following a challenge and is unable to continue, so Lucas Leiva replaces him.
Sunderland also bring on Wahbi Khazri for Adnan Januzaj.
Substitution
Liverpool make their second change in the aftermath of the goal and Divock Origi comes on for Georginio Wijnaldum.
Goal
GOAL! SADIO MANE!
Liverpool have the lead once again as Moreno's corner from the right flicks off the head of Djilobodji and rolls for Mane, who taps in from inside the six-yard box.
Sturridge and Lallana carve open the Sunderland defence, but the former's eventual close-range effort is saved by Mannone.
Liverpool are readying Divock Origi to come on here.
Firmino holds off Djilobodji in the box and strikes...straight at Mannone.
Substitution
Ex-Red Javier Manquillo is introduced for the hosts, replacing Jack Rodwell.
Liverpool look to counter and Mane rolls the ball off for Can on the edge of the area; however, he can't get enough on his effort and it's a routine take for Mannone.
Firmino has a go from way out, but it's never troubling Mannone.
Sturridge thinks he's gone clean through on goal from Mane's pass, but he's adjudged to have been offside.
You sense there's another goal to be had in this game. Hopefully it is for the visitors...
First Borini and then Defoe have efforts blocked inside the Reds box as Sunderland pose their first threat of the second half.
Mane is inches away from heading in Clyne's delivery from the right after it had sailed beyond Mannone. Unlucky.
Yellow Card
Larsson is shown a yellow card for pulling back Clyne.
Lallana's ball frees Clyne in space on the corner of the box. He controls on his chest to get beyond his man, but misses the ball when attempting to get a shot in.
Kick-Off
We're back underway as Sunderland kick us off for the second half.
Substitution
LFC change
A substitution at half-time for the Reds - Alberto Moreno is on for James Milner.
Here are all the numbers you need to know from the first half...
Half Time
It's 1-1 at the break at the Stadium of Light. Daniel Sturridge's header gave Liverpool the lead after 20 minutes, but Sunderland levelled soon after via a Jermain Defoe penalty.
The Black Cats' striker was also denied by a fine save from Simon Mignolet, while at the other end Vito Mannone has produced several stops to thwart the Reds.
Another attempt from Sturridge from the edge of the area. This time it lacks power and Mannone makes a more routine stop.
Sturridge's bouncing shot from just outside the box is palmed away by Mannone. Liverpool work an opening, but Wijnaldum is thwarted by a last-ditch challenge from O'Shea to prevent him from turning the ball into the net.
Liverpool are beginning to assert themselves on this game again after the setback of the Defoe penalty. But Sunderland are looking a threat when they go forward.
Yellow Card
Milner is shown a yellow card after a trip on Borini.
Close
Sunderland should be 2-1 ahead as Defoe goes racing clean through on goal. He's denied by a quite superb save at his feet by Mignolet.
The rebound falls to Borini, but his shot takes a touch off a recovering Liverpool defender and goes wide of the post.
Goal
Goal - Jermain Defoe
The striker converts from the spot to level up the game at the Stadium of Light.
Penalty
Penalty to Sunderland
Ndong goes down between Klavan and Wijnaldum and the hosts have a spot kick.
Goal
GOAL! DANIEL STURRIDGE!
Liverpool are in front - and it comes courtesy of Sturridge on his return to the starting line-up.
Milner's corner finds Lovren about 15 yards from goal. The centre-back cannons an attempted volley into the turf and Sturridge reacts quickest to judge the bounce of the ball and guide a header over Mannone and into the net.
Get in!
Larsson slides into intercept Lallana's low cross, and for a second it looks as though he may turn it into his own goal.
Another save from Mannone, this time flinging himself to his right to repel Sturridge's hit from the edge of the area.
Both 'keepers have been worked early on here.
Match shot
Yellow Card
Rodwell now goes into the book for a late challenge on Can.
The ball rolls for Rodwell on the corner of the Liverpool box. He strikes goalwards first time and Mignolet is required to make a good save low to his left to keep it out.
Double chance
Sturridge brilliantly controls Mane's pass inside the area and drills low across goal. Mannone gets a hand to it to kept it out.
The ball is then worked to the edge of the box to Wijnaldum, whose curler is pushed over the crossbar by the Sunderland 'keeper.
An entertaining start here at the Stadium of Light.
Larsson drills a free-kick into the Liverpool box and Rodwell meets it with a free header that he guides wide...but he was offside anyway.
Defoe registers the first shot of the game as he fires low from distance, but it's a routine take for Mignolet.
Now Mane breaks into the area following a neat flick from Lallana; however, his attempted centre is too high and sails over the crossbar.
Clyne wriggles his way into space on the right of the Sunderland box, but his low cross can't pick out a teammate and Borini thumps it to safety for the hosts.
Kick-Off
Here we go
Gini Wijnaldum kicks us off at the Stadium of Light and we're underway. Come on you Reds!
Here come the teams...it's almost time for kick-off at the Stadium of Light.
A reminder of both line-ups this afternoon...
Behind closed doors...
Here's a glimpse inside Liverpool's dressing room at the Stadium of Light...
The Reds are here...
Here's today's Reds team in full: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Sturridge.
Substitutes: Karius, Lucas, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Stewart, Ejaria, Origi.
TEAM NEWS
It is a single change for Liverpool at the Stadium of Light – Daniel Sturridge comes into the side in place of injured captain Jordan Henderson.
We'll have confirmed Liverpool team news for you at 2pm GMT.
Subscribers can also see what the manager had to say about today's game in his preview...
Refresh your memory of the most recent meeting between these teams, at Anfield in late November, with LFCTV GO's quickfire highlights...
Manquillo also features in the matchday programme and had a word for his old side.
"It's going to be a special game for me because I played there. It's a fantastic club with a great history and they have some world-class players. It's going to be a tough match, though, and we know we will have to be at our very best if we are to get anything from the game. I'm looking forward to it, though, and hopefully I will be able to play some part in it."
Familiar faces
There are a couple of players Liverpool fans will recognise in Sunderland's squad this season: Fabio Borini and Javier Manquillo.
Meanwhile, Reds duo Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet are former Black Cats, of course.
David Moyes' programme notes
"We welcome Jürgen Klopp and everyone from Liverpool. We were at Anfield only a few weeks ago and put in a strong performance on that occasion, against a side which has shown that it is more than capable of finishing in the top four and maybe higher.
"We know the importance of our home results, after what has been a difficult Christmas period which has taken us to Manchester United and Burnley. It is good to be back on home soil, albeit with a tough fixture against one of the league's top sides."
The scene at the Stadium of Light
BETVICTOR's view
Sunderland 19/2
Draw 9/2
Liverpool 1/3
Stats all, folks
For more pre-match facts like the below, head here to read club statistician Ged Rea's preview.
Golazos
With our first match of 2017 fast approaching, why not take a look back at some of the best strikes from 2016 to get you in the mood?
Our free clip below has the 10 finest Reds goals of the last 12 months all in one video.
Weather
It's time!
Ahead of each match, Liverpoolfc.com endeavours to bring you a timely weather update - and today is no different.
We can report that, four hours prior to kick-off at the Stadium of Light, it is currently two degrees celsius with just a four per cent chance of rain. Wrap up by all means but leave the umbrella at home!
Team news
Don't miss the manager's injury update on Philippe Coutinho and Joel Matip ahead of today's game, which you can find here.
'We can find solutions'
Liverpool needed a late goal from Divock Origi to make the breakthrough when they last faced Sunderland - a 2-0 Anfield victory in November.
The Belgian expects a similarly tough game this time but is confident he and his teammates can always find a way through even the most obstinate defence.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's live matchday blog for today's Premier League meeting with Sunderland.
Less than 48 hours after Manchester City were defeated at Anfield, the Reds are back in action against David Moyes' men as they aim for a fifth straight league victory.
We'll have all the build-up, team news, stats, pictures, video and every kick from the Stadium of Light - stick with us for the best coverage of the big game.