Premier League Player Ratings: Liverpool 1-0 Everton

By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent

LIVERPOOL

Pepe Reina - 7 - Struggled with a couple of high balls in the sun early on, but turned Baines' free kick over the bar and was quick off his line to snuff out Saha in the first half. Thwarted Yakubu late on but was not really tested by Everton, despite the extra man.

Lucas Leiva - 6.5 - Passing bore the hallmarks of nerves, but he showed how far he has come since being sent off at Goodison Park last season with a disciplined screening performance. Made a critical late block to deny Anichebe.

Dirk Kuyt - 8.5 - Booked in the first half for a cynical trip on Donovan, he produced a typically aggressive display, and gave his side the lead with a fine glancing header. Was back defending soon after, and did as much as anyone to ensure that his goal was the winning one.

Steven Gerrard - 7 - Clipped the bar with a free kick just before half-time, and delivered the corner from which Kuyt headed his side ahead. Led by example for his 10-man side, with some classy defensive work and sensible passing. Booked late on after a clash with Pienaar.

Maxi Rodriguez - 6 - Saw precious little of the ball in the first half, but grew in stature after the break.

David Ngog - 6.5 - Dallied over a presentable chance on the half-hour mark, but showed his growing maturity with some fine hold-up play as the Reds toiled with 10 men.

SUBSTITUTES

Ryan Babel - 6.5 - Brought on for Ngog to add pace, and looked far more energetic than he has at times this season.

Fabio Aurelio - N/A - Last-gasp replacement for Maxi.

Martin Skrtel - N/A - Time-wasting late sub.

EVERTON

Tim Howard - 5.5 - Flapped at Gerrard's corner, allowing Kuyt to head his side ahead.

John Heitinga - 7 - Composed and assured, though he was booked for a trip on Maxi. Played some nice cross-field passes which got his side forward.

Sylvain Distin - 5.5 - Almost cost his side with a wayward square pass, and found Ngog a tricky customer.

Leighton Baines - 5.5 - Tested Reina with a free kick, but was given a hard time by a superb Kuyt performance and was on the back foot more than the front.

Steven Pienaar - 5 - Booked after a robust challenge on Mascherano, and was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card, though justice was done as the South African was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow.

Marouane Fellaini - 6 - Busy and energetic around the midfield, but was the victim of an ugly tackle from Kyrgiakos and forced to depart before half-time.

Tim Cahill - 6.5 - Headed a golden chance over the bar right on half-time, though it came at him quickly, but was a constant threat with his rugged style.

Louis Saha - 5 - Always a threat with his movement, but was shackled reasonably well by Agger and Carragher, and departed with 19 minutes to go without having threatened Pepe Reina's goal.

Yakubu - 5.5 - On for the quiet Osman, but was no more effective, despite drawing a smart stop from Reina with a left-footed snap shot.

Mikel Arteta - 6.5 - Introduced earlier than expected after Fellaini's injury, he was instantly on the ball, controlling the game.

Victor Anichebe - 5 - On for the ineffective Saha, his only contribution was to collect a booking for an angry reaction to a Gerrard challenge on Pienaar, and waste a glorious late shooting chance.