Rating the Liverpool Players Against Fulham

Liverpool's most convincing display, and result of the season, may well have been helped by Fulham's poor performance at Anfield, but the Reds will take a lot of heart from a fine victory in their final home match of 2012.

Goals from Martin Škrtel, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing and Luis Suarez sealed a 4-0 success over Martin Jol's side as the Reds jumped up to eighth in the table ahead of the hectic festive period.

Here are Liverpool's player ratings:

Pepe Reina

The only thing that the goalkeeper was going to catch in the first half was a cold, given that Fulham rarely came anywhere near him at a soaking wet Anfield.

They did improve in the second period though, and after Dimitar Berbatov summoned up enough energy to hit two efforts goalwards, Reina did have to be at his best to spring to his left and keep out a late Hugo Rodallega free-kick.

He'll have far busier evening than this though, starting with Boxing Day's trip to Stoke.

Rating: 6/10

Glen Johnson

After his stellar display and fine goal against West Ham, Johnson was poor against Aston Villa last weekend. Thankfully he stepped up his game again here.

Always available for a pass, and looking to raid forward from right-back as often as possible, Johnson troubled former Liverpool man John Arne Riise with a series of runs forward in support of Stewart Downing on his flank, and did what little defensive work there was to do with a minimum of fuss.

On this form, he's always one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Rating: 7/10

Martin Škrtel

Had there not been a net in the way, it's safe to say that Škrtel's eighth-minute bullet of a shot from Steven Gerrard's corner would still be traveling.

The strike was a welcome return to goalscoring form for a centre-back who hadn't scored since the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in August, and showed just how much of a threat he can be from Liverpool's set pieces.

Regardless of his goal, it was a comfortable, impressive night for Škrtel, who dealt with the extra running of Hugo Rodallega in the second half with a minimum of fuss.

Rating: 8/10

Daniel Agger

Agger and Škrtel's collective off-day had been one of the key reasons behind last weekend's disappointment against Villa, but the Dane's defensive prowess was back on show here as he barely put a foot wrong at the back.

The less said about his miss from a yard out after being found by Luis Suarez's cross the better, but Liverpool fans would be being greedy if they were asking for both their centre-backs to score on the same evening, and they could settle for Agger's fine display regardless.

Rating: 7/10

Jose Enrique

Less than 24 hours after his firstborn son Adrian was brought into the world, Enrique lined up at Anfield knowing that he was coming face-to-face with the last man who really made the Liverpool left-back slot his own.

Reds fans were left in no doubt that they have now traded up from John Arne Riise, though, another fine display from Enrique was capped by his assist for Suarez's late goal.

The Spaniard appears to finally be flourishing under Brendan Rodgers, and can tell his new son of a job well done.

Rating: 7/10

Lucas Leiva

For a player who still needs to build up his match fitness, this contest could hardly have been easier.

Dimitar Berbatov was isolated upfront for Fulham in the first half, and so with no visiting player looking to get forward in support of the Bulgarian, Lucas was left with a free area to patrol, and he did so comfortably.

Always looking to play the ball forward, things didn't really change much for Lucas when Berbatov dropped deeper in the second half, as the Brazilian offered a glimpse of just what Rodgers will want him to do as his side gets stronger.

Rating: 7/10

Steven Gerrard

The goal against Villa last week may have come in a losing cause, but perhaps it has inspired Gerrard to get back on the scoring trail here.

His strike from Stewart Downing's pass late in the first half was undoubtedly the most important goal of the game for the Reds, seeing that it established the two-goal lead before Martin Jol was able to switch to two up front in the second half.

Quietly this was one of Gerrard's best displays of the season. He could have scored again and contributed to Škrtel and Downing's goals. A captain's innings.

Rating: 8/10

Jonjo Shelvey

Preferred to Joe Allen by Rodgers, Shelvey was given the most advanced of the three midfield roles, but didn't have his most accomplished day.

The midfielder looked a little weary on what became a heavy pitch pretty quickly, and too often his attempts to link up with Luis Suarez ended up with frustration etched on both men's faces.

He was replaced by Joe Allen for the final 19 minutes and was probably glad of the rest.

Rating: 6/10

Stewart Downing

How many other makeshift left-backs do you see cutting in from the right wing and smashing in goals like that?

Downing was excellent against Fulham, and comfortably Liverpool's man of the match as he put in a performance which fans have been crying out for ever since he joined the club from Aston Villa.

He maintains that Rodgers has told him he can leave if he wants and so his future at the club has to remain unclear, but this was much better from a man who will be hoping that his Reds career is a late bloomer.

Rating: 9/10

Luis Suarez

Five matches without a goal made the determination to score one all the more noticeable on Suarez's face, and after Liverpool scored their third, their Uruguayan forward went on a personal mission to add to the tally.

He should have scored early in the second half when Downing's cross deflected into his path, but he was ultimately grateful to Enrique's persistence to present him with a morale-boosting strike in stoppage-time.

That morale goes to the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day, Stoke have been warned.

Rating: 7/10

Suso

Given a start due to Rodgers' decision to rest Sterling for the first time in a league game since the winger broke into the team in the second match of the season, there was once again so much that was neat and tidy about Suso's game.

There remains the belief that he is not being played in his best position, however, and the youngster will certainly need to add a ruthless streak in front of goal if he is to stay in one of the wide roles off Suarez and not move back into midfield.

He was as encouraging as ever, though, before being replace by Sterling.

Rating: 6/10

Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (on for Suso, 71 mins): A lively cameo from the youngster, who could be seen coming off the bench more often in the new year when new recruits are added.

Joe Allen (on for Shelvey, 74 mins): Kept it as neat and tidy as always.

Jamie Carragher (on for Lucas, 83 mins): Enjoyed an outing in the defensive midfield in blast from the past.