Premier League: Ranking the Liverpool Players in Their Game Against Sunderland

This was supposed to be the grand showcase of Kenny Dalglish's new-look Liverpool side.

After a summer of intense transfer activity, the Kop was giddy in its anticipation of the new season, where Liverpool are expected to rediscover the top-four.

Certainly, the team sheet against Sunderland featured all the new signings minus Brazilian goalkeeper Alexander Doni—brought in from AS Roma—who was on the bench.

This fixture against the Northerners has proven to be a thorn in Liverpool's side in recent years—as the beach ball fiasco from two seasons ago remains a bitter reminder of poor recent seasons.

Liverpool set up in a 4-2-3-1, with Luis Suarez acting as the creative fulcrum of the side—free to run behind striker Andy Carroll—and defensive midfielder Lucas, who acted as a holding midfielder and ball-winner. Highly-touted summer signing Charlie Adam played in his "quarterback" role he so excelled in at Blackpool—spraying pinpoint passes with his wonder of a left boot.

Liverpool began the game with a flourish, winning a penalty thanks to Luis Suarez's incisive run upon recovering Wes Brown's failed clearance.

After being brought down by Richardson, Suarez proceeded to blast the penalty into the crowd.

However, Liverpool were unfazed as they heaped pressure upon Sunderland—off-season arrival Stewart Downing was key in providing good exchanges down the left hand side, and almost scored an early contender for goal of the season with a breathtaking 30-yard run which ended with the former Aston Villa man's shot sizzling off the crossbar.

Liverpool finally got a deserved lead thanks to a Charlie Adam free kick, met by Luis Suarez, who nodded a glancing header past Alain Mignolet's near post.

Liverpool continued their dominance through the rest of the half, creating and threatening in abundance.

The second half, however, was a different story, as Sunderland finally found their feet.

Stéphane Sessegnon, Sebastien Larsson and Ahmed Elmohamady linked up fabulously and eventually cracked Liverpool's defensive shell.

Elmohamady created space on the right wing before lofting a magnificent cross which Larsson volleyed home spectacularly for the equalizer.

Later, it was just a matter of playing time out as Liverpool threatened but failed to create any truly-menacing chances. 

GK: Pepe Reina- 6.5

Reina was tidy in goal and saved two important headers. Was his usual-commanding self could do little about Larsson's spectacular equalizer. He wasn't troubled much overall, as Sunderland often had to make do with scraps.

LB: Jose Enrique- 7

The new signing from Newcastle was involved in some brilliant exchanges down the left hand side with Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam. He also made some brilliant crosses. However, he was slightly hampered by Ahmed Elmohamady's incisive runs down the left. Overall—looked solid in defense, and delivered a promising full debut. 

CB: Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger-6

Precious little to do in the first half, as the Liverpool pressing froze out forward Asamoah Gyan. Were fazed by Sessengon, however, in the foul-filled second half.

RB: John Flanagan-6.5

Flanagan looked solid in the first half, paying attention to his defensive responsibilities and keeping Larsson in check. In the second half, it seemed that he began to lose his cool amid the increasingly-fiery affair, making rash challenges all over the pitch. Larsson gave him fits in the latter stages.

DM: Charlie Adam and Lucas- 7.5 and 6

Lucas was Liverpool's player of the season 2010-11. Today, he was energetic—if slightly subdued—in the first half, but bitterly ineffective in the second as Sessengon ran rings around him, creating a bevy of opportunities for Sunderland.

Adam had a promising full debut. He took the lion's share of Liverpool free kicks, and produced quality delivery. Economical in possession, the Scot's passing was impeccable and it became obvious that his ability to send accurate balls into the box appealed to Dalglish in his off-season recruitment.

His abillity from set pieces was also crucial here, as could be seen from his first goal. His corner taking was also fantastic, though no-one took advantage of it. A brilliant buy by Dalglish man the middle of the park for Liverpool.

SS: Luis Suarez-7

Suarez didn't get much end-product from his flair today, but showed that he still had not lost his touch that dazzled at Anfield last season, delivering some bits of wonderful technical ability.

He settled into a playmaking position today and showed vision with some incisive through balls. Well-taken header from a set piece for the only Liverpool goal, but inexpicably missed his penalty. 

Taken off early—likely due to his busy summer with Uruguay in the Copa America.

ST: Andy Carroll-6

The 35-million man cut an isolated figure up front, and often had to drop deep to get touches on the ball.

He showcased his aerial threat from time to time as Downing and Adam put ball after ball into the box, but failed to produce anything of substance. A questionable push in the back brought back wonderfully taken goal in the first half.

He managed, however, in the second half to showcase his movement abilities as he evaded Sessengon to shoot wide. 

WF: Jordan Henderson-6

He was the most inconspicous of the summer signings on the pitch, and begged the question why he got the nod over Raul Meireles.

With much of the good play for Liverpool coming from the left and the center, Henderson looked lost against his former club. He did contribute to the fluid periods of Liverpool's play when the ball was being passed about at will.

He was consigned to his new role on the wing—not his natural position—he was allowed to drift into space and join Carroll in attack. At times, Liverpool looked to have three in the middle of midfield—Adam, Lucas, and Henderson—with Downing free to roam about on either wing.

WF: Stewart Downing-7.25

A briliant player. I must admit, I was not convinced as to his price tag being reflective of the player's talents, but he seems to have proven himself and risen to the occasion spectacularly. He made things happen for Liverpool and the best play for Liverpool came down the left, when he, Enrique and Adam and Suarez combined to create some scintillating football.

One moment in the game sums Downing up; when dribbled past three Sunderland players and hit the post with a rasping drive. A promising debut.

Subs

Dirk Kuyt- More of the same with the man, Energy galore as he raced up and down the wing to get things going for Liverpool, when they were struggling,

Raul Meireles- Came on late to provide a creative spark , didnt do much however.