Sunderland vs Liverpool Player Ratings
Sunderland took advantage of a sub-par performance by Liverpool through a Niklas Bendtner goal condemning Liverpool to a second successive defeat on Saturday.
In a game where Liverpool were lackadaisical until the very end, the Reds once again left the Stadium of Light in a gloomy mood. The Black Cats move two points behind Liverpool who are currently in seventh place and ten points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
The closest that Liverpool came to a goal in the first half was a long-range Charlie Adam free-kick that wasn't even meant for the goal. Both sides were scrappy with their challenges and constantly misplaced their passes.
But Sunderland came back spirited after the break and their enthusiasm paid off as Frazier Campbell unleashed a shot that hit the left post and rebounded off the back of Pepe Reina. Nicklas Bendtner was on hand to tap the ball into the goal and condemn Liverpool to a defeat.
Liverpool Pepe Reina - 6.5 The Liverpool keeper didn't have to do much in the game but he was unlucky in the 57th minute when Frazier Campbell's shot richocheted off the left post and fell to the feet of Bendtner. Martin Kelly - 6 Unlike the player he had to mark, he was lacking in confidence and did not make challenges when necessary and his clearances were often sloppy. Martin Skrtel - 6 He should have closed down on Campbell in order to prevent him from making the shot but all he did was sit back and watch. Sebastien Coates - 5 The young centreback was often nervous with the ball when under pressure and he did not track Bendtner allowing the Dane to score Sunderland's first goal. He provided no real assistance to the Liverpool attack and so the injured Daniel Agger's long passes to the final third were sorely missed. Jose Enrique - 6.5 He took up the burden of doing Bellamy's work and his runs down the left were often with intent and drive but they were one-dimensional and lacked creativity. Jay Spearing - 6 He made a couple of surging runs that was a surprise given how he's usually so defensive-minded. But he didn't display a great deal of creativity and seems like an inferior home-grown version of the Liverpool captain. Charlie Adam (off 69') - 6 He wasn't much of an influence in the match until a 43rd minute free-kick that almost beat Mignolet as it floated and seem to go just above the keeper. His corners were always cleared away and he really needs to improve his delivery of set pieces if he's adamant about taking so many of them. Jordan Henderson (off 79') - 6.5 The ex-Sunderland player was warmly welcomed to his old home and he ran often and swiftly down the right but he failed to provide any good crosses to Suarez or Kuyt. Dirk Kuyt - 6 The Dutchman was given an unfamiliar withdrawn role behind the striker but he did not play well there as he was unable to make the necessary decisive passes. He was a bit of a threat with his heading but his attempts were weak and they never really threatened the Sunderland keeper. Craig Bellamy (off 69') - 5 His eagerness to score meant that he was woeful as a supplier. He often passed too early to Suarez and camped in the penalty box hoping for a favourable pass and when frustrated, he often went in hard on the Sunderland players. His tackles looked more like he was participating in a rugby game as well. Luis Suarez - 6 The wily forward was only really involved in the game at the end of the first half as he took on O'Shea and Bardsley and squeezed past both of them and only an oncoming Mignolet managed to stop his momentum. But otherwise, his dribbling was often simple and Suarez was easily challenged by the Sunderland players. Subs Steven Gerrard - 6.5 (on 69') The skipper tried in vain to rampage forward and even tried a shot from distance but instead of the frightening thunderbolts that he is well-known for, Gerrard produced soft-hearted attempts that gave Mignolet no shocks. Andy Carroll - 6.5 (on 69') He was able to use his height well for once and often headed the ball down to Liverpool players. But it was much too little and much too late. Stewart Downing (on 80') - N/A | 
Post time 11-3-2012 09:57 AM
