Liverpool vs Sunderland Player Ratings

Liverpool

Pepe Reina - 6
Not really troubled by Sunderland's attack, all thanks to his solid backline, but could do better to look more confident when the set pieces come in. Could do nothing about Sebastian Larsson's brilliant volley.

John Flanagan - 5
Put in a decent performance but for one mistake, which unfortunately led to the Sunderland goal. What was he thinking of when he gave Sebastian Larsson a free shot at the far post?

Jamie Carragher - 7
The veteran defender put in a calm performance befitting his status, though he could have warned Flanagan about Larsson's presence for the Sunderland equaliser.

Daniel Agger - 7.5
Superb performance by the Danish centre-back, who was magnificent in the air. Dealt with everything Sunderland threw at him.

Jose Enrique - 6.5
Kept Elmohamady quiet for most of the game. But could be blamed for Sunderland's goal: He was caught ball-watching as Gyan backpassed for Elmohamady to whip in the cross for Larsson to score. Perhaps he still lacks communication with his team mates.

Lucas Leiva - 6.5
Did what he was supposed to do - break up play. A moment of distraction gave the ball away to Gyan to start the entire Sunderland goal move though.

Charlie Adam - 8
A great debut for the former Blackpool midfielder. Controlled the play for Liverpool and whipped in a fierce freekick for the opening goal.

Jordan Henderson - 7 (Off 61')
A fair performance against his former club, linking up the play from defense to attack. Liverpool looked less organized when Dirk Kuyt came on for him in the second half.

Luis Suarez - 7.5 (Off' 75)
What a game. Won a penalty, missed it, but redeemed himself with a headed goal. If only he scored the penalty. If only. Brought off for Raul Meireles.

Stewart Downing - 7
Looks like the missing piece down Liverpool's left flank is found. The main source of Sunderland's problems was his pinpoint crossing, which more often than not found Andy Carroll..

Andy Carroll - 7.5
A constant threat in the air. Won most of the crosses and always looked the most threatening amongst the Liverpool frontline.

Substitutions:

Dirk Kuyt (On 61') - 6
Put in his typical hardworking performance but failed to eke out a mistake from the Sunderland defense.

Raul Meireles (On 75') - 6
Came on for goalscorer Suarez but was shut out of the game by Lee Cattermole and Jack Colback.

 

Sunderland

Simon Mignolet - 7
A good performance from the 23-year-old custodian. Could hardly do anything about Suarez's goal, and stayed calm throughout the match to deal with Carroll's headers.

Phil Bardsley - 7.5
Looked to have problems dealing with the presence of Downing and Suarez combining down the flank, but managed to limit their space to work with, which was no easy feat.

Wes Brown - 7
Did well to put Andy Carroll off to take the sting out of his headers. Ironically, Brown was the biggest threat to Liverpool in the first half with two attempts on goal. A good debut for the former Manchester United man.

Anton Ferdinand - 7
Same as his defensive partner, did well to limit the damage from Carroll.

Kieran Richardson - 4.5
His poor awareness led to him conceding an early penalty and was lucky not to be sent off. Was partly at fault for Liverpool's goal when he failed to follow Suarez in the freekick.

Sebastian Larsson - 7.5 (Off 81')
Scored a stunning volley to equal the scoreline and grab the point for Sunderland. Was kept quiet by Flanagan the entire game but took the only chance he was given. Taken off for David Vaughan.

Lee Cattermole - 8 (Man of the match)
A constant thorn in the Liverpool midfield and not afraid to be physical. Superb performance to keep Adam from spraying his trademark passes.

Jack Colback - 7.5
An energetic performance from the youngster, who kept Henderson from being a bigger threat to his side. Not afraid to dig in with the big boys.

Ahmed El Mohamady - 7.5
Was kept quiet by Enrique for most of the game but, like Larsson, took his chance and curled in a sweet cross to find the unmarked Swede to equalise.

Stephane Sessegnon - 5.5
A nonchalant performance from the Benin midfielder. Did well to penetrate the midfield but his final ball let him and his teammates down.

Asamoah Gyan - 6 (Off 66')
Had a quiet game, thanks to the aerial presence of Agger. Could have done better to beat the Liverpool defenders, considering his dribbling ability. Injured himself and was substituted for Ji Dong-Won.

Substitutions:

Ji Dong-Won (On 66') - 6
Came on for the injured Gyan and did well to harry the Liverpool defenders.

David Vaughan (On 81') - 6
Came on for goalscorer Sebastian Larsson. Didn't have enough time to make an impact.