Liverpool

3.04

• 
  69

  34

  3.00

  José Reina Paez

  Wasn't really troubled during the first half as Sunderland failed to make any clear cut chances. He was unlucky with the penalty, he guessed correctly but the ball squeezed underneath him.

• 
  40

  50

  3.00

  Glen Johnson

  As we have come to expect from Johnson he made some good runs forward down the right wing but his final delivery was lacking which caused much frustration for the home fans.

• 
  39

  48

  3.00

  Jamie Carragher

  Carragher had a fault free first half, he looked composed on the ball and in control of runs made by Bent and Malbranque.

• 
  62

  27

  3.00

  Martin Skrtel

  Made some good surging runs from the back but his own shot flew well wide of Mignolet's goal. Was kept busy by Bent throughout the first half but in general he kept the England man quiet.

• 
  36

  54

  3.00

  Paul Konchesky

  The new signing looked comfortable up against Elmohamdy but after injuring himself making a sliding tackle the full back was substituted. From replays there didn't appear to be any problems but he limped off the pitch and was replaced by Daniel Agger.

• 
  81

  80

  2.50

  Christian Poulsen Flop of the Match

  Gave away the penalty that allowed Sunderland to equalise during the first half. It was hard to see why the midfielder had his arm in the air when Elmohamady crossed the ball, but he did and referee Stuart Atwell had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick. Poulsen struggled during the first half and gave the ball away far too easily far too often. Didn't get involved much in the second half and was substituted for Ngog.

• 
  166

  28

  3.50

  Steven Gerrard Top of the Match

  Playing in a central midfield role as opposed to an attacking role the Liverpool captain did his best to control the game but a lack of movement ahead of him made it very difficult for him to do so. Came to Liverpool's rescue again in the second half when he got on the end of Torres' deflected cross to head past Reina.

• 
  73

  27

  3.00

  Dirk Kuyt

  Was on the same wavelength as Torres to open the scoring but otherwise he wasn't really involved heavily in the first half action.

• 
  85

  12

  3.00

  Raúl Meireles

  Meireles was very lively in the opening 20 minutes of the first half but he drifted out of the match after that. He showed some very nice touches and linked up well with Glen Johnson down the right wing.

• 
  75

  21

  3.00

  Joe Cole

  The England midfielder drifted in and out of the first half action, at times he looked very creative but in truth they were only fleeting moments.

• 
  162

  18

  3.50

  Fernando Torres

  Was very alert for the Liverpool goal and took advantage of Michael Turner's mistake and found Kuyt who was able to slid home the opening goal of the game. Otherwise he found it hard to get involved in the match and was marked well by Bramble and Turner. Made a great run down the wing to setup Gerrard for Liverpool's equaliser.

Substitutions

• 
  70

  32

  3.00

  David Ngog

  Replaced Poulsen and was the catalyst to get Liverpool going again. He provided more support to Torres and gave the Sunderland defenders something more to think about. He had a couple of good chances to score but was unable to take any of them.

• 
  74

  21

  3.00

  Daniel Agger

  Replaced Konchesky in the first half and was very comfortable at full back, he controlled Elmohamady well and provided a good attacking threat when he was needed to. Had a chance to give Liverpool the lead in the second half but was denied by Mignolet.

Sunderland

3.17

• 
  21

  12

  3.50

  Simon Mignolet

  The goalkeeper was given no chance with the opening goal as Torres passed the ball past him and allowed Kuyt to score. Otherwise he was hardly tested in the first half as Liverpool failed to create anything worthy of note. Kept the numerous attacks out in the second half as Liverpool pushed for a winner.

• 
  14

  12

  3.00

  Nedum Onuoha

  Wasn't troubled by Joe Cole down the left wing, made some good challenges and generally looked very strong during the first half. Made an excellent run at the start of the second half and delivered a fantastic cross for Bent to score his second of the game

• 
  18

  14

  3.00

  Michael Turner

  Was punished for a back pass that never was as Atwell ruled he had played the ball back to his goalkeeper. Torres didn't really cause Turner much trouble and he was able to clear anything that Liverpool threw at him.

• 
  10

  13

  3.00

  Titus Bramble

  After a troubled week for the centre half he put in an good performance at the heart of the Sunderland defence. He was never really troubled by the Liverpool attacking players and formed a solid partnership with Turner at the back.

• 
  11

  8

  3.00

  Phil Bardsley

  Although not a natural left back he looked very comfortable against Meireles and Kuyt.

• 
  60

  10

  3.00

  Ahmed El Mohamady

  Looked very lively during the first half down the right wing, he showed lots of creativity and it was his cross that was handled by Poulsen to give Sunderland their penalty.

• 
  13

  10

  3.00

  Jordan Henderson

  Without doing anything outstanding in midfield Henderson was calm and helped Sunderland control the game at times during the first half.

• 
  25

  14

  3.50

  Lee Cattermole

  The Sunderland captain was much more controlled than in his lasty outing and he provided some good challenges to break up Liverpool's attack.

• 
  21

  14

  3.50

  Steed Malbranque

  Very busy in support of Bent, always made himself available and looked to create something for his striker to feed off.

• 
  30

  12

  3.00

  Danny Welbeck

  Was lively on the left wing and gave Johnson a lot to think about. He constanly looked to take his man on and supported Bent whenever he could.

• 
  50

  15

  3.50

  Darren Bent

  The striker calmly slotted his penalty away and rose above the Liverpool defence to head home his second at the start of the second half. Was always on the move and gave Skrtel and Carragher plenty to deal with.

Substitutions

• 
  25

  13

  3.00

  Asamoah Gyan

  Replaced Wellbeck but didn't really get many chances