Tottenham

3.75

• 
  2

  2

  3.50

  Brad Friedel

  The opposite of his counterpart in the Liverpool goalmouth on Sunday afternoon. The 40-year-old was solid, although rarely called upon, and was quick and accurate in his distribution.

• 
  3

  0

  3.50

  Kyle Walker

  Stood up well to the threat of Downing and Carroll, and offered an outlet down the right on the overlap, although looks unsure when entering the final third.

• 
  3

  0

  4.00

  Younes Kaboul

  Looks a rock at the back when partnered with King, and gave a similarly strong performance. Solid in the air and the tackle as he dampened any threat that Liverpool briefly posed.

• 
  3

  0

  4.00

  Ledley King

  It’s no coincidence that Tottenham’s second clean sheet in a row comes in tandem with their captain’s second start in a row. Stood up well to the blunt threat of Carroll, and coolly played the ball from the back to provide an attacking foundation.

• 
  1

  1

  3.50

  Benoit Assou-Ekotto

  Held off Suarez well when needed to, and ensured neither Henderson or Downing could provide anything down the flank.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Niko Kranjcar

  Linked up well on the right hand side with both Adebayor and Walker, setting up an early opportunity for the Togolese striker. Was replaced at half time by Van der Vaart, possibly due to injury as his performance was not lacking.

• 
  6

  1

  4.00

  Scott Parker

  The 30-year-old did the job he was brought in to do by Harry Redknapp, breaking up play and not allowing the Liverpool midfield a moments rest on the ball. His England place looks assured after a solid display, despite the robust attempts from Carroll, Adam, Lucas and Suarez to undo him.

• 
  14

  0

  4.00

  Luka Modric Top of the Match

  Any hard-feelings over the Croatian’s attempts to angle a move away from Tottenham this summer will no doubt have been banished by his fantastic strike from the edge of the box after six minutes to open the scoring. Cool and collected in possession as well, he dictated the midfield

• 
  4

  3

  3.50

  Gareth Bale

  May not have provided the impact that he is now expected of him, but his pace and power provides a great outlet on the left. Twice found Defoe well in the opening stages, and drew in the fouls that would eventually prove to be Liverpool’s undoing.

• 
  8

  0

  4.00

  Emmanuel Adebayor

  Workrate and quality in abundance from the on-loan striker, who linked up well with Defoe and provided a constant threat to the Liverpool goalmouth. Possibly should have opened the scoring himself after five minutes, but made no mistake when rebounding Defoe’s effort, flicking the ball over the scrambling Reina before finding an empty net before grabbing his second minutes from time to make it 4-0.

• 
  4

  0

  4.00

  Jermain Defoe

  Seems to be forming an understanding with Adebayor, and also may well be finding the form that alluded him throughout last season. Scored a superb goal, holding off Enrique as he spun to rifle the ball past Reina and double his side’s lead.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  0.00

  S. Bassong

  Replaced Ledley King with ten minutes left on the clock.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Rafael van der Vaart

  Replaced Kranjcar for the second half, and proved just as effective an outlet, linking up well on the right before moving into the middle as Spurs saw out the game comfortably.

• 
  2

  0

  0.00

  Giovani dos Santos

  Replaced Defoe with ten minutes left to play.

Liverpool

2.39

• 
  4

  2

  2.50

  José Reina Paez

  The Spaniard couldn’t be held accountable for allowing Luka Modric’s sublime effort as the ball flew into his top left hand corner. Was at fault for Tottenham’s third goal of the afternoon, spilling Defoe’s shot before Adebayor followed up with the rebound.

• 
  5

  3

  2.00

  Martin Skrtel

  Lost the ball cheaply to Bale as the home side nearly doubled their lead after 13 minutes, and soon resorted to cynical challenges to prevent the Welshman gaining ground on the left hand flank. Eventually paid the price mid-way through the second half, when he received a second yellow card for fouling the winger.

• 
  3

  3

  2.50

  Jamie Carragher

  No glaringly obvious errors from the Liverpool captain, but Adebayor and Defoe were allowed too much time on the ball in and around the box, and were able to hold the ball up unchallenged at times.

• 
  6

  0

  3.00

  Daniel Agger

  The only Liverpool player who really turned up on Sunday afternoon, with two great last ditch interceptions blocking Jermain Defoe’s attempts from the six-yard box. Unfortunately the defender injured himself whilst doing so, and was replaced by debutant Sebastian Coates in the first half.

• 
  3

  4

  2.50

  José Enrique

  Allowed Defoe to turn far too easily for the striker’s goal, whilst giving Walker, Krancjar and Adebayor far too much space down the right hand side.

• 
  4

  3

  2.50

  Jordan Henderson

  Non-existent display from the former Sunderland man, as he failed to find his role in a game which largely bypassed him.

• 
  5

  0

  2.50

  Lucas Leiva

  Just as lost in the centre of the midfield as his first half partner Adam, and was ran in circles by the triangular passing of Modric, Parker and Kranjcar in what was a forgettable afternoon for the Brazilian.

• 
  5

  7

  1.50

  Charlie Adam Flop of the Match

  in possession and overran by the Spurs central midfielders from the start. A second yellow card for catching Parker high with his studs put an end to the Scotsman’s sorry afternoon.

• 
  3

  1

  2.50

  Stewart Downing

  Showed glimpses of some nice touches, but to no real avail as he wasted possession too frequently. Switched flanks, but still failed to make an impact. Replaced by Spearing with 20 minutes left to play.

• 
  5

  2

  2.50

  Luis Suárez

  The downside to the Uruguayan was on display at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with Suarez busy without actually doing a great deal. Gradually became frustrated by the lack of service and influence in the game. Replaced by Bellamy with 20 minutes to play.

• 
  2

  5

  2.00

  Andy Carroll

  Did little to repay the faith shown in him by manager Kenny Dalglish in the wake of recent criticism from England boss Fabio Capello, and by reinstating him to the starting line-up. The £35million striker was static up front, and offered little in terms of a partnership with Suarez.

Substitutions

• 
  8

  2

  2.50

  Sebastián Coates

  A baptism of fire for the debutant, who replaced the injured Daniel Agger in the first half. Was caught out by the pace Adebayor and was lucky to only receive a yellow card after bringing down the Togolese striker as seemingly appeared through on goal.

• 
  5

  0

  2.50

  Jay Spearing

  Replaced Downing with 20 minutes left on the clock, and could never be expected to make an impact with only nine players on the field.

• 
  4

  0

  2.50

  Craig Bellamy

  Given a run out in place of Suarez, but similarly could not expected to change a game which had already reached its conclusion.