Player Ratings: Liverpool 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

LIVERPOOL:

Pepe Reina - 6 - Ran the length of the field to state his case for Ward's dismissal, but apart from that rather unnecessary action, was largely redundant. Turned a couple of half chances away in the first half but was not called upon in the second as Liverpool hammered home their numerical advantage.

Glen Johnson - 7 - Got forward when he could, but had to be wary of Jarvis' pace on the break. Final ball was not always great but defended stoutly and always offered an option to the man on the ball.

Jamie Carragher - 7 - Was up against some good competitors in Doyle and later Iwelumo. Kept composure and battled hard.

Daniel Agger - 7 - Was one of the few Reds to show a willingness to accept responsibility, striding out of defence on a number of occasions.

Emiliano Insua - 8 - Started brightly, joining in with Aurelio and getting beyond the Brazilian. Had a few nervy moments but it was his fine cross from the left which provided Gerrard with the opener and he produced a much-improved performance.

Lucas Leiva - 7 - Another who began well, and did a lot right throughout. A few careless moments enraged the crowd, but his drive and determination shone through in the second half as he burst forward from deep to good effect.

Alberto Aquilani - 7 - Given his first Premier League start for the club, the Italian looked classy and creative in possession, and rarely wasted a pass. Given a fine ovation when he was removed six minutes from the end.

Yossi Benayoun - 8 - Is not in great form at the moment, but grabbed a vital goal for his side with some neat footwork and a slightly-fortuitous finish, and was excellent in the second half.

Steven Gerrard - 7 - Liverpool's skipper is struggling for form as much as the team, but he answered his manager's call with a thumping header in the 62nd minute to give his side the lead. Not a vintage performance but another important goal for Mr Liverpool.

Fabio Aurelio - 6 - Deployed on the left of midfield, the Brazilian was neat and tidy enough, but lacked a touch of urgency at times, though improved in the second half before his withdrawal for Kuyt.

Fernando Torres - 6 - Started pretty brightly, but grew frustrated as Berra, Craddock and Stearman all got tight to him. Created space as usual with his intelligent movement, but did not have a great game all things told.

Substitutes

Dirk Kuyt - 6 - Given quarter of an hour, but the game was pretty much dead by then and the Dutchman had little impact.

Jay Spearing - N/A - Late introduction.

Daniel Pacheco - N/A - Another cameo for the exciting young Spaniard, who almost created a third with a vibrant burst down the right.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS:

Marcus Hahnemann - 7 - Made a few saves of note but was helpless to keep out Gerrard's header and Benayoun's second.

Richard Stearman - 6 - Was occasionally exposed when Insua came forward, but helped out his centre-backs well

Christophe Berra - 7 - Rugged in his approach, but effective against Torres, and made a lot of important interceptions in the penalty area.

Jody Craddock - 7 - The veteran held his own against Torres and Gerrard until he was beaten in the air by the Reds' skipper for the opener.

Stephen Ward - 4 - Booked for a cynical tug on Benayoun, the Wolves left-back was then dismissed - eventually - after a similar offence on Lucas.

Kevin Foley - 5 - Saw little of the ball and spent most of the second half on the backfoot - like his side it has to be said.

Karl Henry - 7 - Wolves' skipper did the simple things well, picking up second balls and spreading the play neatly. Was unlucky in deflecting Benayoun's strike past Hahnemann for 2-0.

Nenad Milijas - 6 - Unable to show off his hammer of a left foot, though did force one save from Reina with a whipped free kick. Taken off immediately after Liverpool's opener.

Matthew Jarvis - 6 - His pace was a useful tool both on the counter attack, and in defence against Johnson, but his final ball was too hit and miss at times.

Kevin Doyle - 6 - Intelligent and strong, Doyle held his own with anything played up to him, and was unlucky to be sacrificed after Ward's sending off.

Sylvain Ebanks-Blake - 6 - Pacy and direct, the former Manchester United forward gave his all for the cause without much success. Drew one save from Reina with a sharp turn and shot in the first half.

Substitutes

Michael Mancienne - 7 - On for Milijas in midfield, he bit into tackles and tried to squeeze the space energetically. Perhaps a little unlucky not to start.

George Elokobi - 5 - On after Ward's dismissal, the young left-back was given a hellish time by Benayoun and Johnson.

Chris Iwelumo - 5 - Introduced in place of Ebanks-Blake, but had nothing to feed off.

Neil Jones, Goal.com UK