Good save to deny Kuyt from an early corner and was helpless for the penalty. Produced an excellent save to prevent Liverpool extending their lead as Suarez lashed one towards the far corner. Couldn't keep up this good work as he was beaten too easily for Liverpool's second, leaving too much space at his near post that allowed Suarez to finish the game as a contest.
Solid at the back but was wasteful when he got into attacking positions. Generally coped well with Suarez when he dropped onto the left flank.
Stood up well against the aerial challenge posed by Carroll but was booked after he brought down the former Newcastle forward on the edge of the penalty area.
A strange afternoon for Mensah, was solid despite giving away a penalty and being sent off. The suspect penalty was entirely his fault after his stumble allowed Jay Spearing to get a run into the box and he compounded the error by bringing the midfielder down when Bramble was across on the cover. Given a red card after being adjudged to deny Suarez a goal scoring opportunity in what looked like a coming together than a cynical attempt to foul Suarez.
Had an uneventful first half but brightened slightly in the second. Wasn't as influential on the game as he can be from fullback but did a good job defensively.
Lively presence in the Sunderland midfield, went on the move to collect possession and played some cute balls into space for supporting runners. Although his desire to come infield in search of the ball meant his side became more compact and easier to defend against and was quiet in the second half.
Had made a good start to the game, dictating Sunderland's midfield and ensuring they maintained a high tempo. His influence on the game diminished as it went on and his best contribution in the second half was to send a long range shot wide of the target.
Almost cost his side as his loose play allowed Suarez to burst through the Sunderland midfield after the home side had committed players on the attack. Limped off shortly afterwards to be replaced by Cattermole.
Hadn't really been involved before injury forced him off with 22 minutes played.
Sunderland fans will be happy to see him back in the starting line-up and his showed the home support what they had been missing with some lovely link up play with Gyan. Faded as the game went on and was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury in the second half.
Lots of little flicks and excellent combination play but didn't threaten the goal in either half.
Came off the bench to replace Richardson and was tidy in possession. Was always a willing runner for his side.
Second half introduction in favour of Welbeck but struggled to get onto the ball.
An early replacement for Muntari and collected his ceremonial yellow card before the first half was up for a rash challenge on Suarez. Cleared an Andy Carroll header off the line from a corner and continued to put in challenges in an effort to lift his side.
Might as well have been sitting in the stands for the vast majority of the game and was completely untroubled by the Sunderland attack.
His attacking instincts seem to have been blunted by his move to left back and he wasn't always comfortable with the movement of Sessegnon,
Relatively untested in a makeshift right back role. Put in a solid performance for side side but Steve Bruce will be disappointed his side didn't test his pace on the outside more often.
A road block at the heart of the Liverpool defence alongside Agger. Upset Gyan with a challenge late in the half but there looked to be nothing in it. Didn't put a foot wrong all afternoon.
Came across to cover for Johnson on numerous occasions as Sunderland looked to exploit the space in behind the England fullback. Was unhappy with Gyan's attempts to win a penalty.
Impish in his appearance but plays with a greater stature, capitalised on Mensah's slip to rob the Ghanaian before being brought down for the penalty. Had a powerful drive from the edge of the box well saved by Mignolet.
Sometimes looked to be overpowered in the midfield but recovered well and looks increasingly comfortable at the heart of Liverpool's midfield. Was an accomplished if uninspiring showing from the South American.
Superb delivery from set pieces and didn't shirk his defensive duties. Got forward to good effect and sent Carroll free with a controlled first time pass through the Sunderland defence. Not his greatest showing in a Liverpool shirt, but still a very good performance on the road.
Had two early chances from corners and hit one straight at Mignolet and the other over the crossbar. Stayed calm to dispatch the controversial penalty to give his side a first half lead.
The most hated man in Ghana' won't win any popularity contests in Wearside as he pestered the Sunderand back-line throughout and got off a good shot in the first half that had Mignolet at full stretch. Saw a free kick zip inches past the post in the second but putting the game beyond the hosts with a goal from a tight angle.
A quiet start but grew in confidence as the game went on and held the ball up well. Free header from a corner was cleared off the line by Cattermole but generally didn't look as dominant as he has at times for Newcastle. Replaced by Ngog with 20 minutes to play.
Late replacement for the injured Suarez.
Replaced Meireles and didn't have much of an impact on proceedings.
Thrown on for Carroll with 20 minutes to go and saw a header go wide of the target.
| Tournament | |
| Position | |
| Ranking |
| Rank/Player | Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Luis Suárez | Striker | Liverpool | 3.52 |
| 2. Coutinho | Midfielder | Liverpool | 3.42 |
| 3. Juan Mata | Striker | Chelsea FC | 3.37 |
| 4. Marouane Fellaini | Midfielder | Everton | 3.35 |
| 5. Santi Cazorla | Midfielder | Arsenal FC | 3.33 |
| 6. Carlos Tévez | Striker | Manchester City | 3.27 |
| 7. Robin van Persie | Striker | Manchester United | 3.26 |
| 8. Leighton Baines | Defender | Everton | 3.25 |
| 9. C. Benteke | Striker | Aston Villa | 3.24 |
| 10. Eden Hazard | Midfielder | Chelsea FC | 3.24 |
| 11. Tomas Rosicky | Midfielder | Arsenal FC | 3.22 |
| 12. Gareth Bale | Midfielder | Tottenham | 3.21 |
| 13. Romelu Lukaku | Striker | West Bromwich Albion | 3.20 |
| 14. Phil Jagielka | Defender | Everton | 3.19 |
| 15. David Silva | Striker | Manchester City | 3.19 |
| 16. Leon Osman | Midfielder | Everton | 3.18 |
| 17. Daniel Sturridge | Striker | Liverpool | 3.18 |
| 18. Kevin Mirallas | Striker | Everton | 3.17 |
| 19. Shinji Kagawa | Midfielder | Manchester United | 3.15 |
| 20. Theo Walcott | Striker | Arsenal FC | 3.15 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Manchester United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
