Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Sunderland

Kenny Dalglish started his first full season back at the helm at Anfield much the same way he ended his last, looking on in frustration as his team once again failed to put away an opponent when it had the advantage. 

Twenty years ago, Dalglish watched as his team gave up four leads to Everton at Goodison Park, including two late goals, in one of the classic all-time Merseyside derbies. Two days later, Dalglish quit, still burdened by the Heysel and still fresh Hillsborough tragedies.  

This time, the game was decidedly not a classic, and the opponents were an unheralded Sunderland squad playing the role of opening day spoiler at a packed Anfield.

Dalglish is unlikely to walk away after this match, but too many more displays like today and one would have to forgive him if he did. 

All four of Liverpool's £54 million summer signings were given their debuts on Saturday, including £6 million man José Enrique, who joined the team just 24 hours earlier from Newcastle. 

Having been pressed into immediate duty due to (yet another) Fabio Aurelio injury, Enrique was arguably the best of the lot.  His play was steady and composed from start to finish, which is much more than could be said about the rest of his new teammates. 

Jordan Henderson was a surprise starter over Dirk Kuyt in midfield but did little to allay fears by some that Liverpool overpaid for his services.  Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing were only slightly better, as both terrorized the Sunderland midfield and left flank respectively, during the first half, before fading after the interval. 

Downing in particular showed flashes of his creativity by whipping teasing crosses into the box for Andy Carroll, just as Dalglish envisioned when he paid Aston Villa £20 million for the winger's services. 

Later on, he would pick up the ball from out the back and race the length of the Sunderland right side, before cutting inside of Kieran Richardson onto his favored left foot and smashing a shot past a helpless Simon Mignolet onto the Sunderland crossbar. 

Adam meanwhile seemed to float in and out of the game, with his best moments not surprisingly coming on set pieces, one of which led to Suarez' season-opening tally in the 12th minute.

On balance it was a very uneven performance by the entire team, and as disappointing as it was from a supporter's standpoint, one would be hard pressed to fault Dalglish's assessment that the draw was a fair result.  

Player grades are discussed below, feel free to share your own thoughts.

Pepe Reina was unfortunate not to finish the game with a clean sheet and couldn't really do much about Seb Larsson’s stunning 57th minute side-volley into the far-side netting. GRADE 8 

John Flanagan had a really poor game.  Bewildered and bewitched by Larsson all day, caught naively ball watching on the goal.

It feels wrong to slag a player this young, especially one with as much potential as he’s shown, but Saturday was not his day. GRADE 2

Daniel Agger had a very solid game and did well considering he had new man Enrique to his left and an overburdened Jamie Carragher (forced to cover for Flanagan as he was) to his right.  GRADE 7

Carragher: Experience is seldom a substitute for ability, and Carra’s fading legs threatened to  betray him at times Saturday. All in all not a terrible day given Flanagan’s struggles.  GRADE 6

Enrique: Aces all around.  GRADE 8

Lucas Leiva is an offensive liability if ever there was, but that's not his role.  The transformation from enigma to stalwart continues. GRADE 7 

Adam: Brilliant on crosses and set pieces, showed early hustle then faded badly as the game wore on. Did assist on the Suarez goal.  GRADE 5

Downing: Very good on the left flank in the first half, not as convincing when dropped into the hole or switched to the right, save for his assault on the crossbar.  GRADE 6 

Henderson (Kuyt) showed some defensive tenacity but all in all did not account for himself today.  GRADE 4

Suarez (Raul Meireles) missed the fifth minute penalty but looked his old threatening self early in the game. Brilliant run to get onto Adam’s free kick into the box.  Should have been subbed at the half.  GRADE 6

Andy Carroll got a head on the majority of balls sent his way including several out the back from Reina.  Was battled to a draw by Wes Brown and seemed gassed at the end.  He really needs to improve his fitness for Liverpool to maximize his full potential.  GRADE 5

Subs: 

Kuyt (60') left it all on the pitch as usual, including, not surprisingly, a little blood.  Expect him to get some looks at striker as the season progresses.  GRADE 6

Meireles (75') no real opportunity to assess in his 15 minutes, but fab mohawk. Who knew he had hair?  GRADE N/A