Christian Benteke's assured finish less than 30 seconds into the second half proved the difference, as it did against Leicester on Saturday, on a night when both sides squandered several openings.

Adam Lallana mounts Christian Benteke after he scores during the game between Sunderland and Liverpool on December 30, 2015 © Getty Images

The visitors were quicker out of the blocks at the Stadium of Light, with Nathaniel Clyne stinging the palms of Vito Mannone with a 40-yard rasper before Roberto Firmino took a poor first touch with only the Black Cats' keeper to beat after Philippe Coutinho stole possession high up the field.

Sunderland, who have now lost five games in a row, twice went close in the first half through forwards Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini, who were denied by Simon Mignolet and fired wide respectively after smart turns in the final third.

Midway through the opening period Liverpool were centimetres from taking a spectacular lead when Firmino took aim from range and saw his pinpoint strike tipped onto the post by Mannone.

Vito Mannone saves a shot from Roberto Firmino during the game between Sunderland and Liverpool on December 30, 2015 © Getty Images

Firmino was finding plenty of space in attack for the visitors and headed too close to Mannone with another chance after being picked out in the middle by Clyne.

A goalless scoreline didn't feel right at the break, but that changed just 23 seconds into the second half when Benteke slid home from inside the area after Adam Lallana's slight touch to Clyne's pass had put him through on goal.

Sunderland could have hit back soon after through former Reds player Borini, but the Italian fired straight at Mignolet after wriggling his way into space in the area.

Jordan Henderson and Yann M'Vila in action during the game between Sunderland and Liverpool on December 30, 2015 © Getty Images

Although the home side huffed and puffed, it was Liverpool who had the clearer openings to score the second goal and make the closing stages more comfortable than they turned out to be.

Substitute Jordon Ibe fired over after a swift counter-attack, while Benteke was denied by Mannone when through one on one with the Italian stopper.

A win moves Liverpool up to seventh, level on points with Manchester United, at the halfway mark of the season, while Sunderland will go into 2016 19th and seven points from safety.