Liverpool finished the 2015 calendar year in ideal fashion, defeating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.
After a fairly even first half, the Reds took the lead when the in-form Christian Benteke popped up to break the deadlock in the 46th minute.
The Belgian international calmly slotted home after being played in by Adam Lallana.
Liverpool had two strong chances in the first half but Roberto Firmino's long range strike was tipped onto the woodwork by Black Cats shot-stopper Vito Mannone before the Italian again denied the Brazilian, this time keeping out a header.
Sunderland's best chances came through Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini, who both went close forced saves from Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds now sit seventh on the table on the back of two straight wins while Sam Allardyce's Sunderland have been beaten five times in a row to remain second bottom.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Sunderland: 0
Liverpool: 1 (Christian Benteke 46')
Stadium of Light, Sunderland (45,765)
TALKING POINTS
Sunderland have now lost five consecutive Premier League matches as they continue to drop deeper into the relegation zone. The Black Cats now sit seven points adrift of safety at the halfway point of the season.
Liverpool meanwhile, have moved to within five points of a top four spot, following back-to-back wins. The Reds will also be encouraged by the form of Benteke who has now netted in consecutive games, taking his tally for the season to 6.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Sunderland host Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, while Liverpool travel to Upton Park to take on West Ham.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Difficult game with highs and lows but the 3 points are the most important! Good feeling to end this year #YNWApic.twitter.com/06JsARfFZw
— Christian Benteke (@chrisbenteke) December 30, 2015Back to back wins !!! Solid performance and another 3 points #cleansheet#YNWApic.twitter.com/KD2Vsmzcbp
— Nathaniel Clyne (@Nathaniel_Clyne) December 30, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce believed there were a number of positives he could take from his side's performance:
"There is some encouragement - seeing the lads battling and fighting for themselves and trying to get a win or at least a point - but a bit of misfortune just after half-time took it away from us. I thought the lads tried their best and you can't ask for more than that."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was relieved to escape with three points:
"It is not the best we can do, we know this, but we had to fight. We knew about Sunderland's situation. Everyone wants to end the year positively. We can and Sunderland can't but we take these points, go home, sleep two times and onto the next game."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
22 - Christian Benteke's goal (22 secs) was the quickest second half goal scored in the Premier League this season. Rapid.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 201516 - Liverpool's Simon Mignolet kept more PL clean sheets in 2015 than any other goalkeeper. Safe.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 20158 - Sunderland have now made eight first half substitutions this season in the Premier League; three more than any other side. Misfortune.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 2015