Sunderland vs Liverpool Half-Time Update

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is looking for his 250th league win of his managerial career this afternoon; his Liverpool side are helping matters, leading 1-0 against Sunderland at half-time.

The big news beforehand was the news that both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez would both start for their new clubs for the first time in the Liverpool attack, sported by Meireles and Kuyt as attacking wide players.

Sunderland had the first opening of the match – upping the tempo and quickness of passing after 16 minutes; Gyan and Welbeck exchanged well down the left, which resulted in Gyan swinging in a dangerous cross right across the face of the Pepe Reina, but eluded any other attacking Sunderland players.

Liverpool launched an immediate counter-attack, with Carroll’s eventual final pass unable to find an unmarked Suarez, who quickly showed his anger at the failed attempt.

The £35m striker hasn’t had that many opportunities to open his Liverpool account so far today; he now must quickly build communications with his new strike partner to help Liverpool achieve 5th place in the league, above their opponents today.

Captain Lee Cattermole was originally named on the bench after recovering from an injury; however the midfielder was called on 20 minutes in to replace the injured Sully Muntari. Further injury worries occurred just minutes later as Kieron Richardson was unable to continue meaning Steed Malbranque was called into the action.

The opening goal of the came from the penalty spot on 33 minutes – referee Kevin Friend was called into action after a slip-up from Sunderland defender Mensah allowed Jay Spearing to run towards goal. Mensah, whilst trying to recover from his error, brings down Spearing on the edge of the box. The referee originally called it as a free-kick just outside the box, but the assistant referee thought otherwise, which resulted in a change of decision. Dirk Kuyt then converted the kick.

The team news for Sunderland involves loan striker Danny Welbeck playing, having recovered from a torn calf, and starts for the Black Cats for the first time since January. He partners Asamoah Gyan in attack. Bruce will be hoping to see either striker find the net in front of a home crowd, especially as his side have just seven different league scorers this season, highlighting how important the two players are.

Bruce, who now only has one sub left to use, has named Zenden and now-permanent signing Ahmed Elmohamady on the bench.

For Liverpool, Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva are picked in the Liverpool midfield. Joe Cole is once again on the bench.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bramble, Mensah, Bardsley, Sessegnon, Henderson, Muntari (Cattermole 19), Richardson (Malbranque 22), Welbeck, Gyan

Substitutes: Gordon, Zenden, Elmohamady, Colback, Onuoha

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Spearing, Carroll, Suarez

Substitutes: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Poulsen, Wilson