Liverpool

2.92

• 
  16

  11

  3.00

  José Reina Paez

  Had little to do as Liverpool controlled the game and was unlucky to see Van Persie's penalty fly in off a strong hand.

• 
  17

  12

  3.00

  Glen Johnson

  Controlled the left flank brilliantly. Didn't give Valencia an inch and looked threatening every time he entered the opposition half. Made the foolish decision to dive in on the Ecuadorian late on in the box, though, which handed a penalty to United.

• 
  15

  11

  2.50

  Daniel Agger

  Had been imperious before making a woeful error to let Valencia in to win a penalty. The injury which took him out of the game after that simply compounded an awful 60 seconds for the Dane.

• 
  17

  8

  3.00

  Martin Kelly

  Picked ahead of Jose Enrique because of his reliability in comparison to the Spaniard and did not let his manager down.

• 
  16

  8

  3.00

  Martin Skrtel

  Faced an onslaught in the second half but dealt with it well. Looked less shaky than he has at times earlier this season.

• 
  22

  8

  3.50

  Steven Gerrard

  Much improved on his other displays this season and capped his performance with a brilliantly taken left-footed strike. His point to the sky afterwards was also a fitting tribute.

• 
  17

  8

  3.50

  Joe Allen

  Helped the Reds dominate in midfield prior to Shelvey's red card and carried on in much the same vein afterwards. Rarely gave it away.

• 
  24

  9

  3.50

  Raheem Sterling

  Did not look phased by the opposition or the weight of the game. As threatening as ever down the right-hand side. Unfortunate to be subbed as Liverpool looked to regain control in the middle.

• 
  16

  15

  1.00

  Jonjo Shelvey Flop of the Match

  An awful performance. Failed to get the right side of Carrick going either way and then got himself sent off with a foolish challenge.

• 
  15

  13

  3.00

  Luis Suárez

  Given far too much space by the United defenders and subsequently took advantage with a typically tricky performance.

• 
  11

  11

  2.50

  Fabio Borini

  Struggled to make an impact even as Liverpool dominated and was rightly subbed at half-time.

Substitutions

• 
  14

  6

  Jamie Carragher

  A late substitute for the injured Daniel Agger.

• 
  13

  6

  3.00

  Jordan Henderson

  Brought energy to a tired midfield and added pace to the Reds' counterattacks.

• 
  22

  7

  3.50

  Suso

  Another youngster who showed no fear when thrown in at the deep end. Looked confident and composed in possession.

Manchester United

2.92

• 
  27

  8

  3.00

  Anders Lindegaard

  Made an early error which could have cost a goal but balanced that out with a fantastic save from a deflected Suarez shot in the second period.

• 
  33

  11

  3.50

  Rafael Top of the Match

  Ensured Borini could have no impact down his flank and took his goal beautifully. Full of energy throughout.

• 
  23

  12

  2.50

  Patrice Evra

  A mixed day for the Frenchman. Looked off the pace when threatened by Sterling but did make some decent interceptions.

• 
  22

  12

  3.00

  Rio Ferdinand

  Looked to be struggling with an injury early on but recovered to ensure Suarez's tricky dribbles did not result in anything more serious.

• 
  22

  12

  3.00

  Jonny Evans

  Is proving an adequate replacement for Vidic during the Serbian's regular injury absences. As solid as ever here but perhaps fortunate that Shelvey reached the ball before him to cover his own dangerous challenge.

• 
  23

  11

  2.50

  Antonio Valencia

  Struggled to get into the game as United's midfield was dominated and was shackled brilliantly by Glen Johnson. However, his alertness allowed him to steal the ball ahead of Daniel Agger and win a crucial penalty.

• 
  22

  10

  3.00

  Ryan Giggs

  A calming infuence in the middle but looked every one of his 38 years in the first half as he and Carrick were run ragged.

• 
  24

  7

  3.00

  Michael Carrick

  Part of a midfield which was bossed out of the game in the first half. Hard to judge his subsequent improvement given it came against ten men.

• 
  19

  17

  2.00

  Nani

  Rightly subbed at half-time after an ineffectual performance out wide.

• 
  27

  17

  3.00

  Robin van Persie

  A peripheral figure for much of the match, feeding on the scraps handed to him up top. Took his moment brilliantly when called upon though, slotting a powerful penalty beyond Reina.

• 
  30

  14

  3.00

  Shinji Kagawa

  Endured a difficult introduction to English football's biggest game. Never looked untidy but struggled to truly get into things. Neat chest pass set up Rafael in his only contribution of note.

Substitutions

• 
  22

  8

  3.50

  Paul Scholes

  Retained possession with almost machine-like efficiency and would have probably helped United do so even against 11 men.

• 
  19

  9

  Chicharito

  Had little time to influence matters.

• 
  16

  10

  Danny Welbeck

  A time-wasting substitute toward the end of the game.