Liverpool 2 Sunderland 1: Player ratings as Steven Gerrard strikes

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet Another fairly solid performance from the ever-improving Belgium international who could do little about Sunderland’s goal. 6/10

Glen Johnson Continued his fine form, got up the field well and had several shots at goal but struggled to trouble the keeper. 7

Martin Skrtel Performed solidly and took no risks on a testing night for the Anfield faithful. 6

Daniel Agger The Dane showed a key understanding with Skrtel – this partnership is sure to be vital in the title run-in. 6

Jon Flanagan Started the game well but got showed his inexperience by getting attracted to the ball and losing goal-scorer Ki for his goal. 5

Jordan Henderson Another energetic performance against his former club but not as influential as in recent matches and did not see much of the ball. 5

Steven Gerrard (captain) Fantastic free-kick to calm his side’s nerves before half-time and commanding things at key times. 7

Joe Allen Looked to make things happen throughout and was calm on the ball. 5

Philippe Coutinho (Man-of-the-match) Was a key part of the Liverpool attack with his passing and got into dangerous positions all night. 7

Daniel Sturridge Fine finish to put Brendan Rodgers’s team 2-0 up. Almost doubled his tally but for the bar with Mannone beaten. 7

Luis Suarez Looked as though he could score each time he was on the ball but just could not find the desired finish with the ball at his feet. 6

Substitutes

Raheem Sterling Gave his team a boost with his pace late on. 6

Sunderland

Vito Mannone Helpless for the goals but was lucky not to have been punished following a poor clearance in the first half. 5

Phil Bardsley Found it tough at times but certainly played his part as the game wore on with his bravery and commitment. 6

Andrea Dossena Returned to his former employers but did little to show them what they are missing. 5

Wes Brown Looked sluggish early on and never really got into the match which led to giving a couple of cynical fouls away. 5

John O’Shea Struggled alongside Brown on a night where Gus Poyet’s men needed their defensive figures to stand up and be counted. 5

Santiago Vergini Poor performance and was lucky to stay on the field after bringing down Suarez. Could also have scored an own goal when he diverted it over his own bar. 3

Lee Cattermole Deserved to score his first goal for Sunderland after smashing the bar on a night where he gave his all as fans have become accustomed to seeing. 6

Liam Bridcutt Showed plenty of promise and was an early threat when he got into the hosts half but found it difficult in the second half. 6

Emanuele Giaccherini Scored in the reverse fixture but did little to emulate that performance on Wednesday night. 5

Jozy Altidore Was isolated up the field on what was a frustrating night for the United States hitman. 4

Connor Wickham Also struggled but did well to trouble Mignolet with a deflected strike before coming off. 5

Substitutes

Adam Johnson Superb performance after coming on after creating a number of chances for his side, including an assist for Ki. 7

Ki-Sung Yueng Could have scored with one of his first touches but took his goal well to give the visitors hope. 6

Jack Colback Not given enough time to make an impact. 5