Cardiff vs. Liverpool: Live Player Ratings for the Reds

There were big points up for grabs at both ends of the Premier League table on Saturday, as second-bottom Cardiff City hosted second-place Liverpool.

At half-time it was 2-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium, with the home side twice taking the lead through Mutch and Campbell, with Suarez and Skrtel equalising each time. After the break the Reds blew their opponents away, with Suarez and Skrtel both scoring again and Daniel Sturridge making it five. Mutch scored his second before Suarez completed an injury-time hat-trick, leaving the final score 3-6 in Liverpool's favour.

Player	HT	FT
Mignolet	6	6
Johnson	7	8
Skrtel	6	7
Agger	5	4
Flanagan	6	6
Gerrard	6	7
Henderson	7	7
Allen	7	8
Coutinho	7	7
Suarez	8	9
Sturridge	7	9

Quick first-half Liverpool analysis

MIGNOLET—Beaten by two good strikes but hasn't been overly commanding aerially either. Distribution good so far.

JOHNSON—Great run behind defence for first equaliser. Has been beaten for pace the other way.

SKRTEL—A vital goal, but has been bested in the air off set pieces.

AGGER—Very poor first half. Slow to react, not strong enough and debatable positioning.

FLANAGAN—Largely solid defensively but Liverpool need him to support more going forward.

GERRARD—Booked early on and needs to watch his step. Passing alternately sloppy and fantastic.

HENDERSON—Great runs off the ball, working hard for openings, lacking in end product.

ALLEN—Like Gerrard, very hit and miss with passing but getting into good positions at times.

COUTINHO—Very involved, good running into space.

SUAREZ—As busy as ever. Cardiff not really coping at all, just about if Suarez can find the end pass or shot.

STURRIDGE—Selfless in his working the channels and link up play. Only one sighter of goal.

Quick second-half Liverpool analysis

MIGNOLET—Not convincing in coming for the ball, couldn't do anything about the goal.

JOHNSON—His best performance of the season going forward, involved in two goals, but defensively was beaten too easily.

SKRTEL—Commanding most of the game and imposing from set pieces. Zaha troubled him when running straight for him though.

AGGER—On this evidence, Sakho's return to fitness will see him back in the team. Agger was poor, positionally found wanting and weak in direct duels.

FLANAGAN—Solid in defence for the most part, replaced near the end.

GERRARD—Much more consistent on the ball after the break, helped Liverpool control the game.

HENDERSON—An important part of his work is done off the ball, but he recycled play and linked the game well.

ALLEN—Continued his improvement with a good second-half showing. Got forward to support well.

COUTINHO—Not quite as much impact as he would have liked, Cardiff denied him space often.

SUAREZ—Another fantastic performance, another hat-trick.

STURRIDGE—Scored a deserved goal and could have been Man of the Match if not for his strike partner. Excellent all-round.

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