Sunderland vs Liverpool live: Latest score and updates after Jermain Defoe's penalty equaliser
A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool can close the gap on league leaders Chelsea with victory over struggling Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Jurgen Klopp’s side appear to be the main challengers to Antonio Conte’s west London juggernaut and can go to within six points of the pacesetters on Monday.
Sunderland were woeful in their 4-1 defeat to Burnley on Saturday and increasingly seem doomed to life in the Championship next season.
Follow live coverage on our blog below...
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
It’s a big game for…
Simon Mignolet: The Liverpool shot-stopper has been the subject of some criticism this season and will hope to silence his critics when he returns to the Stadium of Light.
Despite letting that Jon Walters header beat him at his near post against Stoke, the Belgian kept a clean sheet in the big match against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
Best stat…
9: Liverpool are unbeaten against Sunderland in nine games with the last time the Black Cats coming out on top being a 1-0 win in 2012.
Remember when…
Darren Bent scored the winner in a 1-0 win against Liverpool after getting a big hand by a very unusual object – a beachball.
The ball was thrown on to the pitch by a fan and diverted Bent’s shot past the helpless Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.
Prediction
Player to watch…
Adam Lallana: The attacking-midfielder looks invigorated this season, after taking him some while to settle on Merseyside.
Lallana is Liverpool’s second top goalscorer in the league this season, bagging seven goals but he’s also managed to rack up seven assists too, making him a pivotal member of this Liverpool side. Sunderland will have to prioritise keeping him quite to try to quell the visitors’ attacks.
Past three meetings…
Liverpool 2 (Origi, Milner) Sunderland 0
Premier League, November 2016
Liverpool 2 (Firmino, Lallana) Sunderland 2 (Johnson, Defoe)
Premier League, February 2016
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Benteke)
Premier League, December 2015
Form guide…
Sunderland: WLLWLL
Liverpool: LDWWWW
Vital information…
Kick-off time: 15:00
TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One, Monday 2 January 10.30pm
Odds…
Sunderland to win: 9/1
Liverpool to win: 7/20
Draw: 9/2
63 mins: GOAL! WEST HAM 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1:
Jose Mourinho still knows how to win a football match! Juan Mata may have scored the game's opening goal, but the Manchester United manager should be credited for his role in it. Having moved Michael Carrick to centre-back, the veteran began the move from deep by spraying a ball wide to Marcus Rashford. From there, the second substitute toyed with his marker before beating him and crossing to United's half-time change, Mata, who whipped a shot first-time past Darren Randolph. Those Antonio misses look even more telling now.
65 mins: And no sooner had the lead been claimed and the Manchester United boss was on the move again, this time bringing on a bonafide defender in Chris Smalling to plug those holes that had been appearing. The former Fulham centre-back replaces Mkhitaryan.
69 mins: It won't be the West Ham way for this final 20 minutes. Expect a heavy bombardment of long balls now as Andy Carroll comes on to take his place in the home side's attack. It's...erm...like for like as the forward replaces Payet.
72 mins: Paul Pogba had the chance to seal the game and - in the process - remind of us of his existence. The French international hasn't matched his recent impressive displays this evening, but has just fired wide from the edge of the box.
78 mins: GOAL! WEST HAM 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2:
When your luck is out, your luck is out and West Ham's luck has most definitely been out tonight. Struggling to clear their lines on the edge of their own box, the ball was ricocheted back into the West Ham area following Ander Herrera's block. Not to worry, Hammers fans, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and two of his teammates are standing in offside positions. Even the Swedish striker knows this as he swivels and thumps a shot past Darren Randolph. He can barely contain his amusement as he half raises a hand in faux-celebration, but when the linesman's flag on the near side stays down, the United man realises he has got away with one. The three points will be heading back to Old Trafford, but we won't have heard the last of this game.
84 mins: Ander Herrera nearly signs off with a third goal, but his volley from Marcus Rashford's chipped cross is pushed away by Randolph. Rashford's introduction really has propelled United to victory in what has been another impressive cameo.
88 mins: United are toying with their opponents now and much of West Ham's support have long drifted away from the stands. It's making for a quite eerie silence inside the London Stadium. You didn't get this at Upton Park.
90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled as Havard Nordtveit becomes the 412th West Ham player to be booked. This caution is for swiping at Rashford's ankles as the United substitute skipped away on the touchline.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments