Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League encounter between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats followed up an impressive 0-0 draw at Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season with a 2-2 draw against Swansea City before the international break.
Martin O'Neill has vowed to improve the club's home form this season, however, and they will be keen to record their first league win of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Liverpool must focus on on-field matters following a difficult week with the findings of the Hillsborough report this week.
The Reds sit in the relegation zone following defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal, but they held Manchester City in their second league match of the season.
Please note that kickoff is at 5.30pm.
7.26pmSo there we have it. Our full-time report of the match can be found here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for live coverage of Sevilla vs. Real Madrid this evening!
7.24pmThe result drops Sunderland into 14th place. Meanwhile, Liverpool move one place into 17th. Not quite what they would have expected.
7.22pmSo there we have it. Liverpool rescue a point 20 minutes from time as Luis Suarez cancels out a first-half strike from Steven Fletcher. In truth, the away side dominated proceedings, but they simply could not find a winner. Both sides are still searching for their first league win of the season, but each boss will take positives from the 90 minutes of football.
FULL-TIMESunderland 1-1 Liverpool
90 min+2Chance for Saha to make himself a hero as he strikes from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. That appears to be just about that for this one.
90 minWe will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90 - and it's Liverpool on the attack.
89 minSuddenly it's Sunderland who look like they want to win it as they flood forward, but McClean is challenged by Gerrard.
88 min... but his effort is headed clear by Bramble. Not his best.
88 minAgain it's really bright work from Sterling as he dances past two Sunderland defenders before being chopped down outside the box. Gerrard to take...
86 minChange for Sunderland in the final moments as Saha replaces Fletcher. Can he score for yet another club in the Premier League?
84 minChance for Sunderland as Campbell finds McClean out wide, but the Irishman's cross is poor and drifts straight out of play. That's just not good enough.
82 minIt remains all Liverpool as we approach the latter stages. Can Sunderland hang on? Because make no mistake, that is what they are doing at the moment.
80 minChance! So nearly a winner for Liverpool as Shelvey strikes from close range, but Mignolet makes the save before Suarez heads over.
80 minStrange scenes at the Stadium of Light as Reina changes his boots with 10 minutes of football left. I'd be surprised if he touched the ball!
78 minIt's all Liverpool at the moment with Johnson and Downing enjoying plenty of possession, but Sunderland are certainly a threat on the counter attack.
76 minIt's bright work from Sterling once more as he finds a cross to the back post, but Mignolet collects the danger. Little over 15 minutes remaining and we remain level at 1-1.
74 minRare Sunderland attack as McClean searches out Fletcher in the box, but Agger makes the clearance. Will we have a winner this evening?
72 minIn fairness the goal had been coming. Meanwhile, change for Sunderland as Rose is replaced by Frazier Campbell.
71 minAnd there it is. It's fine work from Sterling as he produces a cross into the box - and Suarez pounces to fire it past Mignolet.
71 minSunderland 1-1 Liverpool (Suarez)
70 minTwo more chances for Liverpool as O'Shea blocks a Suarez strike before Johnson fires over the bar. Surely the goal is coming?
68 minHalf-chance for Liverpool as Sterling finds himself unmarked outside the box, but he smashes it wide of the target when he might have done better. Little over 20 minutes remaining at the Stadium of Light.
66 minAnother chance for Liverpool as Sterling searches out the head of Shelvey in the penalty area, but Gardner produces a fine header to clear the danger - before Mignolet denies Skrtel from close range.
64 minLiverpool continue to pass and probe in the Sunderland half, but they just cannot seem to find that elusive pass. Meanwhile, Stewart Downing is on in place of Borini.
62 minThat's 10 attempts for Liverpool this evening. Same old story - they just cannot find the back of the net.
62 minChance! Wonderful chance for Liverpool as Shelvey finds Gerrard in the box, but the Reds skipper smashes the post from inside the box. Wow.
60 minReally nice work from Sunderland as Fletcher and Colback combine in the Liverpool half, but the latter strikes his effort over the bar. Better from the home side.
58 minJust a sign of some attacking intent from the home side as Gardner strikes from outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Kelly. My words seem to have changed the game once more - suddenly Sunderland want to attack.
56 minAgain it's really bright work from Sessegnon as he dances past the challenge of Johnson, but the England man gets back to make the challenge.
56 minThe home side just simply cannot keep possession at the moment as Rose passes it straight to Kelly. Surely they cannot hang on for another 35 minutes? Martin O'Neill cannot be happy with this.
54 minSuarez is just beginning to influence the match on a regular basis as he wins a free kick outside the box. However, it's a brilliant header from Bramble to clear the danger.
52 minDespite the fact that Sunderland lead, they have not played well today. And another attack breaks down as Fletcher heads to no-one. Liverpool are dominating this game.
51 minChance! So nearly for Liverpool as Johnson advances into the box, but he smashes the crossbar. So unlucky.
50 minReally top draw from Sessegnon as he gathers a Bramble pass with ease. For me, he is good enough to play for any of the top sides.
48 minIt's another sighter for Liverpool as Skrtel strikes an effort from close range, but it thumps off Suarez and behind for a goal kick.
47 minEarly chance for Liverpool as Suarez finds Shelvey outside the box, but the former Charlton man fires it straight at Mignolet. Good early signs for the away side.
46 minLiverpool get us underway with Skrtel and Agger enjoying early possession of the ball.
6.32pmHere we go then. Both sets of players join us for the second period. Liverpool simply need to respond here. Change for Sunderland as Titus Bramble replaces Cuellar.
6.30pmIn terms of Sunderland, all three points this evening would make it an extremely respectable five points from three games.
6.28pmAnother stat for you: If Liverpool lose, it would be their worst start to a season in over 100 years. But you would expect a response in the second period.
6.26pmIt's at times like this that you would look to your bench? Andy Carroll - oh wait. However, I would expect to see Sahin for the away side in the second period.
6.24pmAs it stands, Liverpool would drop to 19th in the Premier League table with just one point from four games. Meanwhile, Sunderland would move into 10th with a game in hand.
6.22pmWhat's that old cliche? Oh yes, goals change games! Liverpool have dominated the opening half, but they have nothing to show for it.
6.20pmCouple of statistics from the opening half of football. Liverpool have dominated possession with 61% - while they have had six shots to Sunderland's one.
6.18pmSo there we have it. Sunderland lead Liverpool 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a cool finish from Steven Fletcher. In truth, Liverpool have enjoyed the better of possession, although they have struggled to create any real chances of note. The home side's opener came courtesy of their first effort of the match, but they have left Liverpool with it all to do in the second period.
HALF-TIMESunderland 1-0 Liverpool
45 minWe will play an additional one minute at the end of the half as fans depart for their half-time pies.
43 minBrendan Rodgers cuts an isolated figure on the sideline as Borini hits it straight out of play. Sunderland are comfortable in the final moments of this half.
41 minChance! Really good opportunity for Sunderland as Larsson slips in Colback, but he cannot find the back of the net from close range. Liverpool are on the ropes a bit here.
39 minSo, little over five minutes of the opening half remaining - and Sunderland lead courtesy of a strike from Fletcher after 29 minutes.
37 minSuarez is given a booking as he is adjudged to have dived in the penalty area under the challenge of O'Shea. He really does not help himself at times.
35 minHowever, Suarez's effort is deflected behind for a corner. More frustration for the away side as we approach the interval.
34 minNormal service is resumed as Liverpool pass and probe inside the Sunderland half. You just get the feeling that they need one before the break - and they have a free kick on the edge of the box.
32 minSuddenly it's all Sunderland as they advance forward with Fletcher, but Kelly remains strong to clear the danger. Oh how football can change. Where has this scoreline come from?
31 minMeanwhile, that's three goals in two games for Fletcher since his move from Wolves. Not a bad start ay!
30 minI was just about to say that Reina might as well go for his Saturday tea! But the goal has changed the whole feeling of the match as Sunderland flood forward once more.
30 minIsn't that just football? Sunderland's first effort on goal is converted as Fletcher taps a Gardner cross home from close range.
29 minGOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool (Fletcher)
27 minIt's all Liverpool at the moment as Sterling strikes from inside the box. Meanwhile, penalty claim for the away side as Johnson is felled in the box. Sunderland need some inspiration here.
25 minChance! Maybe I should say that more often? It's a decent effort from Borini as he strikes from just outside the box, but Mignolet is on hand to palm the ball to safety.
25 minNot a great deal happening with 25 minutes on the clock truth be told. The match started with a decent tempo, but it has just disappeared.
23 minBiggest cheer of the afternoon thus far as Suarez loses possession before running it straight out of play. Not his best moment that's for certain.
22 minChance for Sunderland to advance forward as Sessegnon gathers possession in midfield, but his final ball is found wanting - and Liverpool clear the danger once more.
20 minSighter for Sunderland as Larsson whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but his effort just drifts wide of the post. Wonderful delivery from the Swede.
18 minAnd as usual, I am almost made to eat my words as Borini advances past the Sunderland defence, but Mignolet makes the save. I should really learn my lesson.
18 minReally smart play from Sessegnon as he dances past Johnson down the Liverpool left, but the England defender recovers well to block the danger. I hate to say it - especially this early - but we could be heading for a 0-0!
16 minSunderland are just beginning to find Sessegnon in advanced positions, but the final ball is just not quite happening at the moment. It's still Liverpool who are dictating the tempo.
14 minLiverpool continue to look the more likely as Suarez finds Borini outside the box, but his effort is gathered by Mignolet as Sunderland push up the pitch.
14 minThe away side are just beginning to take control of this match with Sunderland ever so sloppy in possession. Decent tempo to the match now.
12 minFirst real moment of class in the match as Suarez picks up possession on the edge of the box, but he fires his effort wide of the post. Better from Liverpool.
11 minAnd the Scot does indeed return to the action as Liverpool pass and probe in the Sunderland half. 11 minutes played at the Stadium of Light.
10 minWorry for Sunderland in the early stages as their record signing Steven Fletcher hits the deck. It appears to be more of a knock than anything else. Let's hope he can shake it off.
8 minIt's the Liverpool fans who are making the noise in the early stages. Meanwhile, the match has just gone ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides conceding possession.
6 minReally smart work from Gerrard as he releases Borini down the left, but the Italian's cross is cut out by John O'Shea. Lively opening to proceedings here.
5 minNothing much from either side in an attacking intent thus far. You can already see just how tight it is in midfield. It is going to be one of those games.
4 minI'm not entirely sure what Cattermole had for breakfast this morning, but I want some as he bites into another challenge. Meanwhile, Shelvey fires a long-range effort wide of the post for Liverpool.
2 minDecent spell of possession for Liverpool as Daniel Agger and Shelvey exchange possession, but it's smart work from Lee Cattermole as he gains possession for his side with a typical hard challenge.
1 minHere we go then. Sunderland get us underway and it's an early first touch for Sunderland new man Danny Rose.
5.28pmThere is also a certain Louis Saha on the Sunderland bench this evening. That man certainly gets about! Meanwhile, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson are among the subs for the away side.
5.26pmHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the turf. A crowd of just over 40,000 are inside the ground this evening. Let's hope the football matches up.
5.24pmSo, we are just about five minutes away from kickoff on this mild evening in Sunderland. Whatever has happened in the past week, this is just about football.
5.22pmYou just get the feeling that Liverpool need to get something this evening. However, Sunderland will not be in the mood to hand out any favours. My prediction? 2-1 Sunderland.
5.20pmThe goalscoring onus for Liverpool will certainly fall on Luis Suarez this evening. The striker is a wonderful player, but does he really score enough goals? The stats seem to suggest not.
5.18pmBut Sunderland do not enter the match in good form. They have not won any of their last 10 Premier League games. Meanwhile, Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 Premier League games. Does that point to goals this evening?
5.16pmOf the last 10 Premier League meetings between the two, Sunderland have won just twice. However, both those wins came at the Stadium of Light - a good omen for Martin O'Neill's side.
5.14pmThe last time the two sets met - a 1-0 win for Sunderland in March - a total of 28 fouls were made, and with Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole on display, you would back a similar outcome this evening!
5.14pmKeen followers of the two teams will remember the infamous beachball incident in their clash in 2009 - but there has been vast change for each club since that cold afternoon in October.
5.12pmSo there we have it. No real surprises for the home side - aside for Johnson. Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey is preferred in midfield to Nuri Sahin for Liverpool.
5.10pmTeams:
Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose; Larsson, Sessegnon, Cattermole, Colback, McClean, Fletcher
Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Gerrard, Allen, Shelvey; Sterling, Suarez, Borini
5.10pmBREAKING: No Adam Johnson for Sunderland. However, Steven Fletcher does start in attack. Both teams will follow.
5.10pmGood evening all! What a Saturday of Barclays Premier League football it has been! Here all the full-times for you: Norwich 0-0 West Ham, Arsenal 6-1 Southampton, Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea, Fulham 3-0 West Brom, Manchester United 4-0 Wigan, QPR 0-0 Chelsea, Stoke 1-1 Manchester City.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
