Jan 2, 2017 at 3pm UK at ​Stadium of Light
Attendance: 46,494
Sunderland
2-2
Liverpool
Defoe (25' pen., 84' pen.)
Rodwell (13'), Larsson (51')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Sturridge (20'), Mane (72')
Milner (30'), Mane (83'), Lallana (83')

Team News: Daniel Sturridge back for Liverpool

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in action during his side's EFL Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 25, 2016
© SilverHub
Daniel Sturridge returns for Liverpool's trip to Sunderland.

Daniel Sturridge has returned to the starting XI for Liverpool's trip to Sunderland this afternoon.

The change is just one from manager Jurgen Klopp as he looks to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea to just three points.

Sturridge - making his first start since October - comes in as Jordan Henderson misses out with a heel injury picked up in the victory over Manchester City on New Year's Eve.

As a result, Adam Lallana drops further back to support Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum in the middle of the park, with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino continuing up front alongside Sturridge.

For the hosting Black Cats, David Moyes makes three changes to the side that were defeated 4-1 at Burnley last time out.

Lamine Kone was forced off against the Black Cats and misses out, while Billy Jones's suspension means a recall for Donald Love, with John O'Shea dropping back into the defence.

Jack Rodwell comes into the middle of the park as replacement for the injured Victor Anichebe and top scorer Jermain Defoe continues to lead the line.

Sunderland: Mannone; Love, Djilobodji, O'Shea, Van Aanholt; Larsson, Ndong, Rodwell, Januzaj, Borini; Defoe
Subs: Mika, Khazri, Manquillo, Honeyman, Maja, Embleton, Ledger

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner; Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Mane, Firmino, Sturridge
Subs: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Origi, Stewart, Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria

Keep up with all of the action from the Stadium of Light this afternoon with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

Raul Jimenez for Atletico Madrid on September 20, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Liverpool20135248232544
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs20126239142542
4Manchester CityMan City20133441221942
5Arsenal20125344222241
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd20116331191239
7Everton208662823530
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom208572824429
9Bournemouth207492934-525
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11Stoke CityStoke206682432-824
12Burnley2072112231-923
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham2064102335-1222
14Watford2064102336-1322
15Leicester CityLeicester205692431-721
16Middlesbrough204791722-519
17Crystal Palace2044123037-716
18Sunderland2043131937-1815
19Swansea CitySwansea2043132345-2215
20Hull City2034131744-2713