Liverpool against Sunderland

Free kick right on the edge of the box for Sunderland as Finnan brings down Roy O'Donovan. Yellow card for Finnan. Is there still a chance for Sunderland?

Now some substitutions, Crouch is off and Kuyt is on, while Chopra has been replaced by Martin Waghorn for the visitors.

Now Miller tries his luck on the edge of the box after good work from Chopra but he's blazed it over.

Ooh, they nearly did get something! Murphy climbed and win the header but Chopra just failed to get something on it and as it flicked up off Reina Miller poked the ball over the bar. A great chance goes begging.

If Sunderland are going to get anything from this (which they are not) it needs to happen now. Murphy has forced a corner for them.

It's all gone quiet at Anfield now.

Another Sunderland penalty appeal is turned down! Mascherano stuck his boot in Liam Miller's face but Styles was having none of it.

Keano went bananas at Rob Styles when the ref failed to give the pen, as did the away fans behind the goal. On reflection, Carragher is lucky to get away with that.

Sunderland are screaming for a penalty after Murphy's shot hit Caragher. JC's arm was up but he had no chance to get it out of the way.

Stevie G is limping slighty, but fear not Liverpool fans, it doesn't look too serious.

Sunderland have gifted their opponents two goals in this half; Murphy was slow and ponderous in allowing Carragher to cross for the first then two defenders tried to beat Crouch to the header leaving Torres with only the lumbering Bardsley to outpace.

GOAL! A classic flick on from Crouch finds Torres who bursts clear of Bardsley and fires past Gordon. Game over. Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland.

Roy Keane has been unexpectedly calm by and large this season but it was only a matter of time before he blew up and it has arrived at Anfield. He is L-I-V-I-D.

Indecision rules OK in the Sunderland rearguard at present and a dithering Nosworthy nearly let Torres nip in front of him there.

From the corner Crouch's header is cleared off the line by Murphy. The big man is on fire!

Oh, so nearly two! Crouch tried another one of his scissor-kick specials and Gordon saved very smartly, then Gerrard's follow up was deflected inches wide.

Benayoun is on for Lucas, who has been a bit rubbish to be honest.

Mascherano has just been hacked down and elbowed simultaneously by Roy O'Donovan, who is lucky not to be booked.

And with that goal, the game has come to life.

Ooh! Now Torres nearly pots a beauty, taking the ball on his thigh then firing a left foot volley towards Craig Gordon, who saved well.

Great work from Jamie Carragher and a delightful cross. Crouch's header wasn't powerful but it was well directed and the Kop can breathe a little easier.

GOAL! The inspiration came from Jamie Carragher would you believe, he dropped the shoulder, whipped in a cross and Crouch nodded home. Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland!

Looks like the substitute might be substituted. Roy Keane has spent the second half shouting at Prica and now he's off to be replaced by Roy O'Donovan

If Sunderland can just cling on for the next ten minutes or so, Liverpool will start getting very twitchy.

Wales have beaten England in the Six Nations rugby by the way, should you care.

Now it is Fernando Torres' turn to hand Sunderland possession. Very unlike the Spaniard.

The Red spark needs to come from somewhere, or this irritable crowd is going to turn downright nasty.

Liverpool have started like they ended the first half, by being wasteful.

The teams are back, and we're off again....

And that, my friends, is half time in what has been a very dull game so far. Join me back here in 15 minutes..

Nosworthy slides in to cut out a Gerrard pass looking for Torres this time. Sunderland have defended solidly so far.

Great block from Jonny Evans as Torres looked to unleash a half volley inside the box.

Now Lucas miscontrols a simple pass and it is clear Liverpool are lacking any confidence.

The Kop bawl again as Liverpool are forced to cut short an attack and retreat back to Reina. The natives are most certainly restless.

The Kop bawls as Gerrard gets caught napping in midfield, Miller can't do anything constructive with it though.

Torres bashed bonces with Jonathan Evans and both players are sucking on the magic sponge.

First whiff of goal for Torres who met Pennant's cross but couldn't get enough power on it.

Skrtel has to nip across quickly to prevent Jones having at pop at goal but Sunderland are enjoying their first little spell of pressure.

Whitehead nearly found Prica's head before Hyppia intervened.

Free kick for the visitors, about 40 yards out.

Its just not quite clicking in the final third for Liverpool, but you get the feeling it might. Sooner or later.

Jones is back on, too much derision from the home fans.

It looked a pretty innocuous challenge really, but maybe Jones tweaked his knee.

Kenwyne Jones bursts towards the area there before Mascherano nicked the ball off him. The big forward is still down.

Still waiting for the first clear chance of the evening at Anfield, but Liverpool definitely look more likely.

Another meaningless stat for you, Sunderland last won at Anfield in 1983. There. Now you know.

Then Mascherano, that's £18.6m worth of Javier Mascherano, fires a shot over the bar. Obscene amount of money for a barely average player I feel.

Miller pulls back Stevie G after a lovely little touch deceived him. His reward? A yellow card.

This is not a good game of football thus far, believe me.

Gerard is the focal point of everything Liverpool do at the minute and Danny Collins bravely gets his head in the way of the Liverpool skipper's latest attempt on goal.

Keano is barking something to his team, spittle flying out of his gob as he does so. Hmm. Attractive.

Gerrard strikes a fizzer, after having to side step the onrushing Chopra, but his shot is blocked.

Poor free kick from Miller and now Liverpool have a free kick of their own, in a similarly attacking position. Stevie G over it.

Chopra has won a free kick from the ageing, ailing Sami Hyppia. Good chance to get the ball into box.

First opening for Liverpool, Torres breaks free in the area but Nosworthy gets in the way of his cross. Its all Liverpool at the minute.

If Liverpool don't win today it'll be their worst start to a calendar year since 1954. Ha ha.

Rade Prica - who scored against Birmingham on his debut - has replaced the crocked Richardson.

Now Bardsley has chopped down Lucas mercilessly but the ref doesn't even give a free kick. Poor decision.

Nice break down the left from Miller who nipped the ball away from Carragher but the veteran defender gets back to avert the danger.

Kieran Richardson looks like he's suffering from knee knack and has hobbled off. He may be an early casualty in this game.

Decent noise around Anfield, the crowd will start to turn should the home side not create goals early one feels.

Early opening for Peter Crouch but Nyran Nosworthy slides in well to block the lanky striker's shot.

Liverpool looking for their first WIN OF THE YEAR people. Title contenders my elbow.

And we're off..

As for Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Chopra, Whitehead, Miller, Richardson, Murphy and Jones.

The teams, ladies and gentlemen, starting with the hosts: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Crouch, Torres. Looks like Carragher will play right back say our sources (the tele).

In fairness, Keane and Sunderland enjoyed a good win over Birmingham last week and may have a slight glmmer of hope against Rafa's stuttering Liverpool. All his brave title talk at the start of the season has now descended into unconvincing utterances that the Reds can cling onto fourth spot. They certainly need a win here if they are to do so.

Good afternoon and welcome to Anfield. One part time outfit have departed the famous Liverpool ground - that's Havant and Waterlooville for you uneductaed few out there - to be replaced by another amateur bunch, namely Roy Keane's Sunderland.

Oh, so nearly two! Crouch tried another one of his scissor-kick specials and Gordon saved very smartly, then Gerrard's follow up was deflected inches wide.

Benayoun is on for Lucas, who has been a bit rubbish to be honest.

Mascherano has just been hacked down and elbowed simultaneously by Roy O'Donovan, who is lucky not to be booked.

And with that goal, the game has come to life.

Ooh! Now Torres nearly pots a beauty, taking the ball on his thigh then firing a left foot volley towards Craig Gordon, who saved well.

Great work from Jamie Carragher and a delightful cross. Crouch's header wasn't powerful but it was well directed and the Kop can breathe a little easier.

GOAL! The inspiration came from Jamie Carragher would you believe, he dropped the shoulder, whipped in a cross and Crouch nodded home. Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland!

Looks like the substitute might be substituted. Roy Keane has spent the second half shouting at Prica and now he's off to be replaced by Roy O'Donovan

If Sunderland can just cling on for the next ten minutes or so, Liverpool will start getting very twitchy.

Wales have beaten England in the Six Nations rugby by the way, should you care.

Now it is Fernando Torres' turn to hand Sunderland possession. Very unlike the Spaniard.

The Red spark needs to come from somewhere, or this irritable crowd is going to turn downright nasty.

Liverpool have started like they ended the first half, by being wasteful.

The teams are back, and we're off again....

And that, my friends, is half time in what has been a very dull game so far. Join me back here in 15 minutes..

Nosworthy slides in to cut out a Gerrard pass looking for Torres this time. Sunderland have defended solidly so far.

Great block from Jonny Evans as Torres looked to unleash a half volley inside the box.

Now Lucas miscontrols a simple pass and it is clear Liverpool are lacking any confidence.

The Kop bawl again as Liverpool are forced to cut short an attack and retreat back to Reina. The natives are most certainly restless.

The Kop bawls as Gerrard gets caught napping in midfield, Miller can't do anything constructive with it though.

Torres bashed bonces with Jonathan Evans and both players are sucking on the magic sponge.

First whiff of goal for Torres who met Pennant's cross but couldn't get enough power on it.

Skrtel has to nip across quickly to prevent Jones having at pop at goal but Sunderland are enjoying their first little spell of pressure.

Whitehead nearly found Prica's head before Hyppia intervened.

Free kick for the visitors, about 40 yards out.

Its just not quite clicking in the final third for Liverpool, but you get the feeling it might. Sooner or later.

Jones is back on, too much derision from the home fans.

It looked a pretty innocuous challenge really, but maybe Jones tweaked his knee.

Kenwyne Jones bursts towards the area there before Mascherano nicked the ball off him. The big forward is still down.

Still waiting for the first clear chance of the evening at Anfield, but Liverpool definitely look more likely.

Another meaningless stat for you, Sunderland last won at Anfield in 1983. There. Now you know.

Then Mascherano, that's £18.6m worth of Javier Mascherano, fires a shot over the bar. Obscene amount of money for a barely average player I feel.

Miller pulls back Stevie G after a lovely little touch deceived him. His reward? A yellow card.

This is not a good game of football thus far, believe me.

Gerard is the focal point of everything Liverpool do at the minute and Danny Collins bravely gets his head in the way of the Liverpool skipper's latest attempt on goal.

Keano is barking something to his team, spittle flying out of his gob as he does so. Hmm. Attractive.

Gerrard strikes a fizzer, after having to side step the onrushing Chopra, but his shot is blocked.

Poor free kick from Miller and now Liverpool have a free kick of their own, in a similarly attacking position. Stevie G over it.

Chopra has won a free kick from the ageing, ailing Sami Hyppia. Good chance to get the ball into box.

First opening for Liverpool, Torres breaks free in the area but Nosworthy gets in the way of his cross. Its all Liverpool at the minute.

If Liverpool don't win today it'll be their worst start to a calendar year since 1954. Ha ha.

Rade Prica - who scored against Birmingham on his debut - has replaced the crocked Richardson.

Now Bardsley has chopped down Lucas mercilessly but the ref doesn't even give a free kick. Poor decision.

Nice break down the left from Miller who nipped the ball away from Carragher but the veteran defender gets back to avert the danger.

Kieran Richardson looks like he's suffering from knee knack and has hobbled off. He may be an early casualty in this game.

Decent noise around Anfield, the crowd will start to turn should the home side not create goals early one feels.

Early opening for Peter Crouch but Nyran Nosworthy slides in well to block the lanky striker's shot.

Liverpool looking for their first WIN OF THE YEAR people. Title contenders my elbow.

And we're off..

As for Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Chopra, Whitehead, Miller, Richardson, Murphy and Jones.

The teams, ladies and gentlemen, starting with the hosts: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Crouch, Torres. Looks like Carragher will play right back say our sources (the tele).

In fairness, Keane and Sunderland enjoyed a good win over Birmingham last week and may have a slight glmmer of hope against Rafa's stuttering Liverpool. All his brave title talk at the start of the season has now descended into unconvincing utterances that the Reds can cling onto fourth spot. They certainly need a win here if they are to do so.

Good afternoon and welcome to Anfield. One part time outfit have departed the famous Liverpool ground - that's Havant and Waterlooville for you uneductaed few out there - to be replaced by another amateur bunch, namely Roy Keane's Sunderland.