Good evening and welcome to the final Barclays Premier League match of 2015. Relegation-threatened Sunderland host Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool with both sides desperate to pick up the three points. A victory for the Black Cats would be a huge boost heading into the new year as they are currently one off bottom and seven points adrift of the sanctuary of 17th spot. Liverpool are 10th but can move level with sixth-placed Manchester United with a win that would also see them edge to within five points of the top four.
Premier League / Matchday 19
Stadium of Light / 30.12.2015
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- C. Benteke(46')
Live
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Updated 30/12/2015 at 21:51 GMT
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- Highlights
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90+5'
FT: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool. Christian Benteke struck the winner for the second time in five days as Liverpool moved to within five points of the Champions League places with a 1-0 win at Sunderland. The £32.5million man looks to be benefitting from his heart-to-heart with manager Jurgen Klopp as his clinical finish within 22 seconds of the start of the second half was enough to beat a doomed-looking Black Cats side, who are still second bottom and seven points adrift off Swansea in 17th.
90+4'
Sunderland with a late corner. Mannone is up... but there's the whistle! Liverpool edge the win.
90+3'
LIVERPOOL SUB: Toure on, Firmino off.
90+2'
Benteke is clean through... it must be two.... great save from Mannone. The keeper denies the Belgian who hit a rather tame side-foot shot.
90+1'
Four minutes added. Still a glimmer of hope for the home side.
90'
It's looking bleak for Sunderland who will be facing a make or break January with a number of games against sides in and around the bottom six.
89'
Liverpool edging closer to an important win for their top four hopes.
88'
It should be two. Firmino breaks into the area on the right and rolls it across for Ibe who jinks inside and blazes over the bar.
87'
Klopp fuming on the touchline. He felt it was a red-card challenge.
86'
Lens booked for a late lunge on Sakho.
84'
The game is getting as bit stretched as Liverpool are looking to counter when Sunderland lose possession in dangerous areas.
83'
LIVERPOOL CHANGE: Ibe on, Coutinho off.
82'
Can marauds into the area on the right side but can't quite tee up Firmino for a strike on goal.
81'
Still time for Sunderland as Liverpool are allowing nerves to creep in.
80'
78'
Liverpool make a hash of clearing the corner and after some really sloppy defending Watmore sees a shot blocked by Mignolet.
78'
Sunderland still pressing but the visitors have looked quite at ease for the large part.