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It was all so painfully predictable.

Having finished 2016 with a bang, Liverpool brought in the new year with a whimper.

From the glorious high of humbling title rivals Manchester City to the crushing disappointment of failing to beat lowly Sunderland.

Rather than grasp the opportunity to reduce Chelsea’s lead to three points, Jurgen Klopp’s weary men stumbled at the Stadium of Light. It was a draw which felt like a defeat.

Fears that this would be a step too far as Liverpool completed their gruelling festive schedule with a third game in the space of a week were realised.

That hard-earned victory over City had taken its toll – both physically and mentally. There was precious little gas left in the tank.

You can blame the TV companies for the fixture changes which dealt the Reds such a bad hand. Being forced back into action just 43-and-a-half hours after the end of hostilities with City at Anfield was ridiculous.

You can also blame error-prone referee Anthony Taylor for the blunders which helped the Black Cats claim a share of the spoils.

But Liverpool headed for home knowing that deep down they had been the architects of their own downfall. In the face of adversity, they still should have got the job done.

Klopp made a beeline for the Manchester official at the final whistle to provide some feedback on his miserable performance.

The Reds boss was right to be fuming over the free-kick which Taylor awarded when Jermain Defoe took a tumble just outside the box late on after tangling with substitute Lucas Leiva and Emre Can.

It was never a foul but Taylor was duped. However, there was still no excuse for the manner in which Liverpool then shot themselves in the foot.

Mane still massively in credit

Sadio Mane inexplicably stuck out an arm and handled Seb Larsson’s free-kick. Defoe gleefully tucked away his second spot-kick of the afternoon to rob the Reds of two precious points.

Mane had looked set to provide Liverpool with the perfect parting gift as he prepares to link up with the Senegal squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The £30million attacker, who will be sorely missed over the next month, slotted home his ninth league goal of the season to restore their lead after Defoe’s first-half penalty had cancelled out Sturridge’s opener.

Mane’s late rush of blood cost Liverpool dear. But his contribution has been so immense in recent months that criticism will rightly be muted. He’s still massively in credit.

The worry for Klopp is with Mane departing and the injuries stacking up, his squad is looking seriously depleted.

With Philippe Coutinho and Joel Matip still missing, the Reds boss then saw James Milner forced off with a calf injury before Daniel Sturridge limped away after damaging his ankle.

On the back of losing captain Jordan Henderson to a heel problem, it was a double whammy Klopp could have done without.

The German coach has played down talk of entering the transfer market in January, but the feeling persists that at least one attacking signing will be required during this window to ensure Liverpool are able to maintain a challenge.

With the trip to Old Trafford followed by the home clash with Chelsea, this month is pivotal.

Frustrations stem from where points have been dropped

Despite events at the Stadium of Light, the Reds still find themselves in a wonderful position. They have surpassed all expectations so far this term so one setback has to be put in context.

However, the sense of frustration stems from where points have been dropped. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City have been beaten, but infuriatingly the Reds have taken just two points out of a possible 12 against Burnley, Bournemouth, West Ham and Sunderland.

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“Rhythm,” was the reason Klopp gave for making just one enforced change from the City game as Sturridge replaced Henderson.

His reluctance to alter a winning team was understandable but for long periods Liverpool were horribly sluggish. He needed some fresh legs.

It was no surprise that the visitors’ most lively performer in the opening 45 minutes was Sturridge – shining on his first Premier League start since mid-October.

His movement was intelligent and the Black Cats struggled to handle him but around him too many team-mates were well off the pace.

How Liverpool missed the presence and leadership of Henderson with Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum unable to provide any semblance of control in midfield.

Vito Mannone was alert to deny Sturridge and then Wijnaldum before the breakthrough arrived on 20 minutes.

When Dejan Lovren scuffed Milner’s corner goalwards, Sturridge reacted brilliantly to nod beyond Mannone.

The Reds’ joy was shortlived as within five minutes the Black Cats were level. Wijnaldum was out-muscled by Didier Ndong, Ragnar Klavan tripped him and Defoe slammed the penalty into the bottom corner.

In truth Sunderland, who were hammered 4-1 by Burnley 48 hours earlier, deserved it.

Stung by Klopp’s criticism after his defensive approach at Anfield in November, David Moyes ditched his cloak of caution. Former Reds Fabio Borini and Adnan Zanuzaj were unleashed in support of Defoe.

Energised by the backing of their biggest home crowd of the season, Sunderland fought for everything and caused Liverpool plenty of problems.

But for the heroics of Simon Mignolet the Reds would have trailed at the break.

Defoe burst clean through but Mignolet raced out to save at his feet. Klavan got an important touch to prevent Borini from netting the rebound.

With Alberto Moreno on for Milner, Liverpool continued to huff and puff without reward in the second half. Mane was inches away from connecting with Nathaniel Clyne’s inviting cross.

At the other end Dejan Lovren, who took the armband from Milner, was outstanding.

The Croatian centre-back produced two crucial blocks to block Borini and then Defoe. The Black Cats were howling for a penalty when Zanuzaj flicked the ball against Can’s arm but Taylor got that one right.

With 18 minutes to go the Reds went back in front. Sturridge couldn’t beat Mannone after a classy one-two with Lallana but from the ensuing corner the goal arrived.

Ndong inadvertently flicked the ball on at the near post and Mane tucked it away.

Divock Origi came on for Wijnaldum with Lucas following after Sturridge limped off.

Liverpool were holding on when Defoe – with a helping hand from Taylor and Mane - restored parity again six minutes from time.

Lallana and Firmino could have won it during a frenetic finale but it wasn’t to be. By then the Reds were running on empty.

MATCH FACTS

Sunderland : Mannone, Love, O’Shea, Djilbodji, Van Aanholt, Rodwell (Manquillo 66), Ndong, Borini, Zanuzaj (Khazri 79), Larsson, Defoe.

Not used : Mika, Honeyman, Maja, Embleton,

Liverpool : Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner (Moreno 45), Can, Wijnaldum (Origi 73), Lallana, Mane, Sturridge, Firmino.

Not used : Karius, Lucas, Stewart, Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria

Referee : Anthony Taylor

Attendance : 46,494

Goals : Sturridge 20, Defoe 25, Mane 72, Defoe 84.

Bookings : Rodwell, Milner, Larsson, Lallana, Mane.

Man of the match : Dejan Lovren. A defensive rock.