Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in their first game of 2017 as the Black Cats came from behind on two occasions to salvage a point.Daniel Sturridge gave Liverpool the lead in the 20th minute after receiving the ball from a miss-hit volley by Dejan Lovren, and his neat header in the six-yard box showed his deadly instincts.However, Sunderland soon drew level when they were awarded a penalty after Didier Ndong was brought down by Ragnar Klavan. Jermain Defoe calmly tucked the spot-kick into the right corner of the net.Liverpool then regained the lead in the second half after a corner was flicked on at the near post, and Sadio Mane was on hand to tap in from close range.There was late drama, though, in the 84th minute when Mane handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded. Defoe stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, scoring his eleventh goal of the season to salvage a point for his team.It was a fascinating game and here are FIVE big talking points from it...

Daniel Sturridge took his chance

Sturridge has found game time difficult to come by so far this season and it has been a while since the England striker last started regularly for Liverpool. However, when given a chance against Sunderland to impress, he took it!

He gave Liverpool the lead just 20 minutes into the game and was a constant thorn in the side of the Sunderland defence. If not for the heroics of the Sunderland goalie, Sturridge would have surely added to his solitary strike.

With Sadio Mane now heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, Sturridge could be a key man for Liverpool.

Jermain Defoe just can’t stop scoring

Sunderland have Defoe to thank for them not being effectively relegated already, as his regular supply of goals have helped the club to move away from the bottom of the table.

The pint-sized striker notched up two to take his tally to eleven in the league this season, and if he had successfully rounded Simon Mignolet when sent through on goal, he would surely have got a hat-trick.

All the same, he had a very good game.

Sadio Mane was hit and miss

Mane scored a late goal for Liverpool and the fans must have thought that would be the winner.

But, just when the Liverpool were beginning to celebrate, the same man broke their hearts by handling the ball in the 18-yard box, and Defoe stepped up to equalise for the Black Cats.

Despite this, the Senegalese star will be missed while he heads off to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool need to improve defensively

Britain Football Soccer - Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League - Stadium of Light - 2/1/17 Sunderland's Adnan Januzaj in action with Liverpool's Ragnar Klavan  Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative

Liverpool’s defence has been shaky so far this season and they have already conceded 23 goals in the league.

Joel Matip has been the best defender in red, but he was missing for the game against Sunderland through injury and his replacement Ragnar Klavan never looked comfortable.

The Estonian ended up giving away a penalty in the 24th minute after downing Ndong, which proved a vital moment in the match.

Jurgen Klopp definitely needs to look into adding another defender to his ranks this month.

Vito Mannone is the main man

Sunderland goalie Vito Mannone had a superb game between the sticks against the Reds, and despite conceding two goals he was by far his team’s best player.

He made strings of saves to keep Sunderland in the game as the visiting side unleashed 15 shots on target.

With Jordan Pickford injured, David Moyes needs his Italian 'keeper to maintain such form,