Liverpool have climbed to seventh on the Premier League football ladder after beating Sunderland 1-0 in the final top-flight English game for 2015.
See how the match unfolded here
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (L) talks with goalscorer Christian Benteke after the final whistle at Sunderland Photo: AFP
Liverpool's Christian Benteke scored the game's only goal just after half-time, condemning struggling Sunderland to a fifth straight defeat.
Liverpool go level on points with sixth-placed Manchester United, but behind on goal difference.
The Belgium striker, tightly marked in a goalless first half at the Stadium of Light, burst into action 22 seconds after the restart to bag his sixth goal of the campaign.
It was also the quickest second-half goal in the Premier League this season.
Nathaniel Clyne's long and low pass was deflected on by Adam Lallana to the lurking Benteke, who made no mistake in tucking it away from inside the area with Sunderland's defence caught napping.
Benteke also had an excellent chance one on one two minutes into injury time but Sunderland's goalkeeper Vito Mannone got down well to deny him, in one of several top saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Liverpool, who beat high-flying Leicester City 1-0 on Saturday with another second-half goal from Benteke, have 30 points from 19 games.
Sunderland remained second from bottom on 12 points, seven points adrift of safety.
- RNZ, Reuters
