Jurgen Klopp has urged his side to keep up the pace with Premier League leaders Chelsea ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool travel to Wearside on Monday for the first fixture of 2017, with the Reds fuelled by optimism having beaten Manchester City 1-0 on New Year’s Eve.
Victory ensured they remained within touching distance – six points – of Chelsea who battled to a 4-2 win over Stoke City.
And ahead of Monday’s game, Klopp simply challenged the Reds to keep on winning.
“Chelsea have won now I don't know 12 – 13? – games in a row – not bad!
“But can you imagine how annoying it is when you have won 13 games in a row and there is still one team, only six points behind?”
He continued: “But I'm pretty sure they don't think about this so why should we? It is completely not important what happens in this moment apart from the fact that we win games.
“It's so difficult in this league, unbelievably difficult.
“And the next game is waiting already against Sunderland. They fight for the league (status) and for their life.
“We have to win our games and see where it leads us.”