Man Utd.

3.36

• 
  686

  94

  3.00

  David de Gea

  Another good performance in the United goal although, in truth, he had little to do. Calm when called upon and his distribution was good.

• 
  642

  78

  3.50

  Rafael

  The Brazilian defended with tenacity against Downing, keeping the Liverpool winger out of the game, and always looked to support Valencia in attack. Tested Reina in the first-half with a left-footed shot from inside the penalty area.

• 
  469

  157

  3.00

  Rio Ferdinand

  Looked slightly dazed after an early collision with his own team-mate but recovered well. Defensively alert throughout the game and made a superb last-ditch tackle on Suarez on the stroke of half-time. Appeared to be caught in two minds as he allowed the ball to bounce off him as Suarez pounced to score.

• 
  576

  91

  3.50

  Jonny Evans

  The Northern Irish defender was very assured and comfortable, taking up good defensive positions and challenging well in the air. Always comfortable on the ball as United built from the back.

• 
  614

  227

  3.00

  Patrice Evra

  The Frenchman was understandably furious with Suarez's decision not to shake his hand before kick-off but, commendably, kept his cool on the pitch. Defended well against Kuyt but found it more difficult when Johnson bombed forward from deep.

• 
  743

  58

  3.50

  Antonio Valencia

  The Ecuadorian looked lively from the outside, picking up the ball and charging at the Liverpool defence. Constantly caused problems for Jose Enrique and created Rooney's second with a precise pass after robbing Spearing of possession.

• 
  552

  92

  3.50

  Michael Carrick

  An understated but very effective screen in central midfield for United, especially in the way he denied Gerrard space to pick of the ball and really influence the game. As ever his passing, both short and long, was simple and efficient.

• 
  646

  75

  3.50

  Paul Scholes

  Looked like he might struggle with the pace of the game early on but settled into a pattern and started dictating play. He was given time on the ball to either spin passes out wide or play the ball into the feet of Rooney and Welbeck. Had a glorious chance in the first-half but his free header from six yards went straight at Reina.

• 
  522

  103

  3.00

  Ryan Giggs

  Fresh from signing a contract to extend his career for yet another season, the Welshman provided width on the left side and linked up well with Scholes and Rooney. His passing was at times a little inconsistent but his vision was always a danger, as shown with his superb first-half cross for Scholes.

• 
  993

  134

  4.00

  Wayne Rooney Top of the Match

  He loves nothing better than scoring against Liverpool and he did it twice with a match-winning display. Produced a clean volley for his first goal and kept his cool to slot home the second minutes later. Had plenty of joy dropping into space and linking up the play.

• 
  654

  117

  3.50

  Danny Welbeck

  Showed why he is currently the first choice to partner Rooney up front with an excellent performance. Continually troubled Liverpool with his clever use of the ball, particularly with one-touch passes. Perhaps could have been more of a threat in the penalty box but his movement, pace and strength pulled defenders out of position.

Substitutions

Liverpool

2.82

• 
  170

  212

  3.00

  José Reina Paez

  The Spaniard produced sharp stops in the first-half to deny Rafael and Scholes, but could do nothing about Rooney's decisive double.

• 
  207

  235

  3.50

  Glen Johnson

  The Liverpool full-back had an intriguing duel with Giggs. Occasionally caught out of position defensively but showed good recovery pace. Probably his side's best attacking outlet, certainly in the first-half, and zipped one left-footed shot just wide of the post.

• 
  129

  270

  2.50

  Martin Skrtel

  The Slovakian was strong on the whole, snapping into tackles, but he sometimes didn't know whether or not to follow Welbeck when the United striker moved into pockets of space.

• 
  186

  236

  3.00

  Daniel Agger

  A calm display from the Dane, who combined some alert interceptions with good positioning and tidy passing.

• 
  111

  291

  2.50

  José Enrique

  Usually so reliable, the Spaniard struggled up against Valencia from the outset, with his first contribution a cynical foul as the Ecuadorian ran towards the box. The effect was also that he was pinned back and had few opportunities to get forward and threaten in the final third.

• 
  93

  331

  2.50

  Jay Spearing

  Played as the anchor in midfield but couldn't get to grips with United's passing and movement. Made a couple of tenacious tackles but, on the whole, the hosts found it easy to play around him. Robbed of possession in the lead up to United's second goal before being replaced by Carroll in the 61st minute.

• 
  89

  319

  3.00

  Jordan Henderson

  A busy and hard-working display in central midfield, but he lacked quality on the ball and could have done more defensively to help Spearing.

• 
  171

  280

  3.00

  Steven Gerrard

  The Liverpool captain didn't have the best of afternoons from the first minute, when he overhit a pass that could have put Suarez through on goal. Largely on the periphery of the game, especially in the second-half.

• 
  170

  476

  2.00

  Stewart Downing Flop of the Match

  An anonymous performance from the Liverpool winger, whose only contribution of note was a booking for a rash tackle. Seemed to have no confidence whatsoever before being replaced by Bellamy in the 61st minute.

• 
  105

  291

  2.50

  Dirk Kuyt

  The Dutchman didn't get much joy against Evra and lacked the speed and technique to cause United problems on the counter-attack before being substituted for Adam 15 minutes from time.

• 
  405

  770

  3.00

  Luis Suárez

  The Uruguayan will attract the headlines after his contemptible behaviour in refusing to shake Evra's hand, while he also caused a stir when he smashed the ball into the stand when the whistle was blown at half-time. On the pitch, his movement did threaten the hosts and he got Liverpool back into the game, stabbing the ball into the net from close range 10 minutes from time.

Substitutions

• 
  192

  182

  3.00

  Charlie Adam

  Replaced Kuyt in the 75th minute. Vicious free-kick caused confusion from which Suarez grabbed a goal back.

• 
  135

  238

  3.00

  Andy Carroll

  Replaced Spearing in the 61st minute. His size and physicality were useful in the final stages as Liverpool reverted to 'Plan B' but he produced some wayward touched.

• 
  145

  175

  3.00

  Craig Bellamy

  Came on for Downing in the 61st minute but never really influence the game from the left side. Seemed to lack his usual vibrance and energy.