Liverpool vs. Manchester City: Grading the Reds Players at Anfield

Liverpool had a nice turn-around from their 3-0 drubbing at West Brom last weekend to draw 2-2 with the reigning Premier League champs Manchester City.

If fact, were it not for a lack of composure from Martin Skrtel, Liverpool easily could have ran away with the three points.

Nevertheless, Liverpool have picked up their first point for the campaign and Brendan Rodgers should feel comfortable about his first Premier League game at Anfield.

Let's look at the player ratings for the Reds from Sunday afternoon's clash.

Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina conceded two goals, but they were two goals that were not his fault. 

The first goal, scored by Yaya Toure, fell to the Ivorian's feet after the ball ricocheted off Martin Kelly's thigh. Reina really had no chance.

The second goal was entirely Martin Skrtel's fault. He lost his composure and sent a short pass back to Reina who couldn't reach it. Reina did his best to contain Carlos Tevez, but Tevez didn't, and shouldn't, miss from there.

Besides the goals, Reina did a good job rushing the ball and bossing his box.

Grade: B+ 

Defenders

Glen Johnson: B+

Johnson switched over to left-back so Martin Kelly could take over the right-back position, and it looked to make no difference to the England international. 

He still made positive runs forward and covered well in defense. It was a solid performance from Johnson.

Sebastian Coates: B

The young Uruguayan filled in for the suspended Daniel Agger and looked composed for most of the match. He rarely put a foot wrong on the afternoon and had several key headers and interceptions.

He lunged at a few tackles—which led to Man City players easily getting by him—but covered well.

Martin Skrtel: B-

What a game of ups and downs for Martin Skrtel. 

Skrtel scored the opening goal on a powerful header from Steven Gerrard's corner and lit Anfield up. He defended well; he didn't let a lot by him.

Then, in the closing minutes of the game, Skrtel came under a little pressure and seemed to panic, passing back to Reina but not putting enough mustard on the ball. Carlos Tevez latched onto the ball, tiptoed around Reina and passed the ball into the back of the net.

Skrtel looked as if he wanted the ground to come up and swallow him. 

Martin Kelly: B

The youngster performed admirably on the right flank. He performed much the same role as Johnson, making useful runs forward and covering well on defense. He made a couple rash challenges, but who doesn't?

It's too bad that his otherwise solid game will be clouded by his last touch of the match, which was a failure to clear a Man City corner. The ball bounced off his leg and Yaya Toure snatched it up to make it 1-1.

Jose Enrique: C

The Spaniard came on for Martin Kelly in the 66th minute after Man City's first goal. In the 24 minutes he was on the field, Enrique didn't make tons of mistakes. He lost the ball a couple of times, but they were in advanced positions which didn't amount to much City pressure. 

Midfielders

Lucas: N/A

Huge blow for Liverpool as Lucas, who did really well to come back from his season-ending injury last November, limped off the field in just the fifth minute. Here's to a not-so-serious injury and a speedy recovery. 

Steven Gerrard: B

The captain looked much livelier this game than last weekend. Stevie G's passes were much crisper and more accurate, and his possession of the ball was much more helpful toward the team's cause. He was able to hold on to the ball more often than not and the forwards were able to feed off him.

Plus, it was his corner that Skrtel latched onto beautifully for Liverpool's first goal. 

Joe Allen: A-

Allen is looking like the transfer of the season for Liverpool thus far. The young midfielder rarely put a foot wrong all night and kept in pace for his unreal 94 percent pass success rating. 

Allen also looks like he is improving on his tackling, showing that he's not afraid to go up against the likes of Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong, who are both much bigger than he is. 

Jonjo Shelvey: B+

Shelvey was thrust into the game after Lucas' injury and had a really good, solid game. He impressed with his accurate passing and his fantastic holding play in the midfield.

He also showed an enthusiasm for going forward and taking chances. He came really close to sealing the deal with a left-footed rocket from right outside the box that flew just over. Really encouraging game for the Steven Gerrard protegé. 

Forwards

Fabio Borini: C+

Brendan Rodgers' first summer signing looks like he still needs a little time to adjust to the Premier League. Borini again looked nervous in the first half and missed a good chance off a great cross from Raheem Sterling.

Borini looked a lot more confident in the second half, but still made some questionable choices in the final third. The young Italian just looks like he needs a bit more ironing out. Once he gets acclimated to the league, the rest of the league would do well to watch out.

Luis Suarez: A-

Suarez worked his usual magic all game and it was his sweet free kick in the 66th minute that got Liverpool's second goal. 

Same Suarez, different day.

Raheem Sterling: A-

I, for one, was very surprised to see Raheem Sterling in the starting XI, and I was pleasantly surprised to watch him have a fantastic game. 

Kolo Toure and Sterling had a great battle all afternoon and Toure had to resort to fouling the 17-year-old more than once. 

Sterling looked Premier League-ready against the league champions, and it looks as if the solution to Liverpool's wide man problem could have been sitting right under Brendan Rodgers' nose. 

Andy Carroll: N/A

Carroll's introduction again came about 10 minutes too late. In the few minutes that Carroll was in the game, Liverpool looked to him as a target man and the Reds had a focal point other than Suarez. It looked like it confused some of the Man City defenders.

If Andy Carroll isn't going to start, then he at least needs to be given more than 10 minutes to operate. 

When Are We Going to See Oussama Assaidi and Nuri Sahin?

Liverpool's latest signings, Oussama Assaidi and Nuri Sahin, were in attendance for Sunday's match against Manchester City. 

Sahin, signed on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, couldn't complete his paperwork in time to be considered for Sunday's game, but why wasn't Assaidi at least on the bench?

The deal was completed nearly 10 days ago for the Moroccan international, so when will we be able to see the winger in action? 

Hopefully next weekend will see these two starlets enter the fray for Liverpool's fight for a top-four finish.