Ryan Babel looks like he has a point to prove as he darts inside and outside Ben-Haim before firing a shot at goal that Fulop does well to hold onto.

The visitors have rarely threatened tonight since the early chance for Jones and Liverpool are on cruise control.

Liverpool are toying with Sunderland now and Gerrard tries to magic something out of his locker with a dipping, curling effort that Fulop watches over his bar.

The tempo has slowed dramatically since the change that really signalled Liverpool's intention to just hold onto what they have and play out the last twenty minutes without alarm.

Sunderland are backing off the Liverpool attackers now and Juyt is almost the latest to capitalise but his shot is blcoked by the backtracking Ferdinand.

Liverpool are looking ro run riot now as first Kuyt and then Riera chance their arm but the Spaniard's is the better chance - but he fires over.

Big opening! McCartney loops a hopeful ball into the box and Leadbitter beats Skrtel in the air to flick the ball to the far post where Malbranque has time to let it drop but his volley is poorly struck.

Riera plays a delightful reverse ball into the channel for the overlapping Insua but he goes for goal when he should have seen Kuyt and Ngog unmarked awaiting a simple tap-in.

Terrible marking! McCartney evades Benayoun and is given too much time to pick out a cross and it is only inches away from the head of an unmarked Jones.

All of a sudden Anfield has its voice again as the home fans worries and concerns are eased by the opening goal.

Sunderland with a good spell of pressure now and Carragher has to be sharp to prevent Ben-Haim escaping in behind.

A bright start to the half from Liverpool as Ngog wins a corner and Benayoun gets on the end of Gerrard's delivery but he fails to get enough of a glance on his header.

One minute of added time will be played.

Superb defending from Anton Ferdinand as he somehow takes the ball off the head of Ngog and diverts it clear of goal from under his own cross bar.

Liverpool break quickly and Mascherano is supporting the attack but he fires a shot at the near post and Fulop watches it ripple the side netting.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kenwyne Jones gets hooked at the break. Since hsi shocking miss his touch and general buildup play has been poor.

Anfield is quieter than usual! Sunderland's confident football and relative ease of defending so far has silenced the normally volatile home faithful.

Steven Gerrard tries to single-handedly up Liverpool's tempo with a trademark burst from midfield but the shot is not on and he can only force a corner in the end.

Smart stop! Reira cuts inside Ben-Haim and his shot takes a wicked deflection off Leadbitter but Fulop is alive to it to dart across his goal and tip wide.

Liverpool have a chance to throw the big men forward but Gerrard's free-kick is strangely overhit and ends up in the stands behind the goal.

Sunderland are in danger of overplaying on the edge of their own box and Liverpool are starting to look more and more dangerous.

Another nearly moment for the hosts as Reira turns the ball back into the six-yard box but Ngog's tentative prod is steered away by Collins.

The early tempo has faded slightly as the game begins to take shape with Liverpool in command of the ball but playing plenty of passes around the half-way line.

Yossi Benayoun is clearly still riding the wave of his winner in the Bernabeu last week and his confidence seems very high as he effortlessly beats Ben-Haim.

Marton Fulop is forced into his first piece of action by a daisy-cutter from Kuyt from the edge of the box and he makes a solid start by holding on well.

The travelling Sunderland fans are singing "Rafa's messed it up" - in less polite terms of course.

The game has started at a blistering pace and Liverpool now have half a chance through Ngog but Ferdinand gets himself in the way to block.

Kenwyne Jones is still contemplating that wasted chance and he needs to clear his head before he misses another one.

Huge opening wasted! Jones gets away from Skrtel and Carragher with unbelievable ease but his finish is tame and Reina makes a comfortable save when he should have had no chance.

Liverpool are enjoying the early possession as Sunderland are preapred to sit in absorb the pressure.