Southampton

3.27

• 
  49

  2

  3.00

  Artur Boruc

  A very confident performance from the Polish keeper, who made several key stops and was proactive off his line. His presence has bred more confidence amongst the Saints line. Unfortunate for the goal.

• 
  23

  3

  3.50

  Nathaniel Clyne

  Got forward well, providing width down the right and showing his blistering speed. Kept Coutinho very quiet and defended well, though was out-jumped by Gerrard for the Brazilian's goal, failing to track the Liverpool captain's run.

• 
  26

  3

  3.00

  Maya Yoshida

  Solid at the back, keeping Sturridge well under wraps. Occasionally panicked, notably for the goal, but was assured on the ball and commanding in the air.

• 
  16

  2

  3.00

  Jos Hooiveld

  Limped off the pitch after just half an hour and was unable to continue. Had been solid until that point, if worried by the pace of Liverpool's offence, though the Reds had offered little while he was on the field. Replaced by Fonte.

• 
  22

  3

  3.50

  Luke Shaw

  A bundle of energy up the left flank, but managed to match that enthusiasm with quality. Got forward to float in dangerous crosses while also containing Downing. A precocious talent.

• 
  37

  2

  4.00

  Morgan Schneiderlin Top of the Match

  Bossed the midfield, pressing well, winning possession and tackling ferociously. Capped his performance with a goal, deftly flicking the ball past Jones to give Southampton an early lead.

• 
  18

  10

  2.50

  G. Ramírez

  Occasionally flickered into life, but wasn't a consistent influence on the match. Linked nicely with Rodriguez and Lallana. Replaced soon after the break by the more defensive Davis as Pochettino looked to preserve his side's lead.

• 
  22

  5

  3.50

  Jack Cork

  Formed a very solid, combative partnership alongside Schneiderlin. Worked tirelessly in the middle of the pitch, covering gaps and bailing out his defence. Used the ball well too.

• 
  21

  4

  3.50

  Adam Lallana

  Pressed high, harassing and harrying Liverpool and winning possession high up the pitch. That tremendous work rate was married with creativity, linking well with the rest of the Saints attack and playing intelligent one-touch football.

• 
  21

  4

  3.00

  Rickie Lambert

  A busy, physical totem for Southampton up front, tussling with Liverpool's centre-backs. Grabbed the Saints' second goal, though his free kick took a huge deflection off Sturridge and fortuitously flew into the bottom corner.

• 
  25

  3

  3.50

  Jay Rodriguez

  Was bright and lively, if profligate. Found space, drove forwards and struck efforts towards goal, though missed several good chances. Out-jumped Johnson to set up Scheiderlin for the opening goal and made amends for his wastefulness by grabbing the Saints' third goal.

Substitutions

• 
  13

  2

  3.50

  Jose Rocha Fonte

  Came on in place of the injured Hooiveld after just half an hour and made a crucial clearance at the back post within minutes. Barring a brief moment of panic for Liverpool's goal, he was a composed presence and defended bravely.

• 
  12

  2

  3.00

  Steven Davis

  Replaced Ramirez in the second half as Southampton looked to retain their lead. Worked hard, closed down well and helped the Saints see out the victory.

• 
  11

  0

  Guilherme Do Prado

  Came on for Lallana with a little over five minutes of normal time remaining.

Liverpool

2.46

• 
  45

  37

  3.00

  Bradley Jones

  A fairly solid display from Pep Reina's deputy. Did not always deal with shots at the first attempt, spilling efforts that he would have been expected to catch. Otherwise competent, though might have done better for the third goal.

• 
  11

  86

  2.50

  Glen Johnson

  Did not get forward often and could not link with Downing, while his touch often evaded him. Worried defensively, and stood off Rodriguez allowing the Saints forward to set up Schneiderlin for the opening goal.

• 
  77

  16

  3.50

  José Enrique

  The only member of the Liverpool defence to leave the match with any real credit. Defended well, making a number of key clearances and interceptions at the back post. Was a threat going forward too, especially when whipping crosses into the box.

• 
  51

  20

  3.00

  Daniel Agger

  Competently dealt with the bullish Lambert, but did not always exude confidence. Contributed to poor communication amongst the back-line, who sorely missed Carragher's leadership, but used the ball fairly well.

• 
  21

  95

  2.00

  Martin Skrtel

  Struggled in the face of Southampton's vigour and movement, and the directness and physicality of Lambert. Did not track Schneiderlin's run as the Frenchman stole a yard and flicked the ball past Jones and was frequently on a different wavelength to the rest of the back-line.

• 
  44

  53

  3.00

  Steven Gerrard

  His commitment and work ethic could not be questioned, but his quality on the ball was lacking. Tried to drive the team forward but his passing was not crisp and his shooting was not accurate.

• 
  94

  19

  3.00

  Coutinho

  Quiet despite his goal and struggled to really influence the match. Fumbled his lines when through one-on-one versus Boruc, but made no mistake just before the break when he rifled a shot past the Polish keeper.

• 
  18

  70

  2.00

  Stewart Downing

  Almost entirely anonymous. Never looked like beating Shaw, offering little threat or release down the right flank. Worked hard, especially when tracking the Saints full-back, but was abject and ineffective.

• 
  9

  93

  1.50

  Joe Allen

  Played with a shoulder injury and it showed. Could not compete with with the physicality of the Saints' holding duo and failed to affect the match with his passing. A poor, limp performance. Unsurprisingly hauled off at half-time.

• 
  36

  52

  2.00

  Luis Suárez

  Was not his usual, dynamic self. Never threatened the Saints' goal and did not dribble at the defence with the trickery and pace that has become his calling card. Devoid of supply and couldn't carve out any chance for himself.

• 
  14

  113

  1.50

  Daniel Sturridge Flop of the Match

  Wasteful and selfish, Sturridge was a hugely frustrating figure. The basics also eluded him; he was frequently flagged offside and formed a weak wall in front of Lambert's free-kick. Replaced late on.

Substitutions

• 
  28

  32

  Jordan Henderson

  Came on in place of Sturridge with a little over five minutes of normal time remaining.

• 
  64

  19

  2.50

  Lucas Leiva

  Came on at half-time in place of Allen. Offered a morsel of bite, but fared little better than the Welshman he had replaced. Looked off the pace, highlighted by his failure to stop Rodriguez for the third goal.