Liverpool defeated Sunderland 1-0 on their travels to the north-east on Wednesday night, as manager Jurgen Klopp's side climbed to seventh in the Premier League table.
An early second-half strike by Christian Benteke got the Reds on their way, and the solitary goal was enough for the Anfield giants to grab the victory.
Benteke was Klopp's only change to his starting XI at the Stadium of Light, as the injured Divock Origi dropped out of the squad.
Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce made four changes after the defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day and named experienced campaigners Wes Brown, Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Jermain Defoe in a 4-3-3.