Reports: Sunderland, Everton and Stoke

Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool

Thank the lord I wasn't able to watch a game. A shocking performance and result though from all that I heard and read about it and saw from the highlights. It was deeply worrying how little was created and how little pressure was exerted on a determined and well organised but hardly particularly good side. This continued a run of disappointing performances and results.

Liverpool 3-0 Everton

Thank God for Stevie G! Liverpool's inspiration was once again the man for the occasion. He might not be quite the force he once was but he still has it in him as was shown in this truly awesome performance. All round, the team performance was very good as well and a welcome return to form and good to see a few goals go in at home for once this season. Liverpool dominated and the team had a rhythm and continuity that belied their recent poor form. Suarez was also superb it has to be said.

Ratings:

Reina - 7
Solid as always
Kelly - 8
Excellent both offensively and defensively
Enrique - 7
Another good performance
Carragher - 8
Hang on he's not quite done yet, marshalled the defence well
Skrtel - 7
Solid
Henderson - 5
He's not played well lately, could be because HE'S NOT A WINGER and WHY THE HELL ISN'T KUYT PLAYING EVERY GAME?!
Downing - 6
Worked hard
Spearing - 8
Very tidy and grafting performance
Gerrard - 9
What can one say?
Carroll - 6
Seriously what can one say?
Suarez - 8
Always a threat

Subs:
Kuyt - 7
Should be playing every game

Liverpool 2-1 Stoke

A hard working performance and a hard earned win here. It lacked the finesse and fluidity of the performance against Everton, Liverpool seemed to struggle to get into the flow of things but to be fair they are far from the only side to find this against Stoke. Finally, Stewart Downing produced a defining moment in his Liverpool career. I remain, I'm afraid, utterly unconvinced he'll ever properly 'come good' as a signing but hey he took the goal well. Maxi delivered another reminder of his lack of effectiveness and the fact he's probably the only utterly ineffective Argentinian international midfielder there is. So glad we've got him...

Ratings:

Reina - 7
Coped pretty well with the heavyweights of Stoke except on the goal where he was being obstructed
Kelly - 7
Very good job well done
Enrique - 7
Did the sensible thing well as ever
Carragher - 6
Struggled at times but generally pretty solid
Skrtel - 7
Good to have a bruiser against Stoke!
Maxi - 5
He played?
Downing - 6
Good goal but otherwise toiled to little effect
Spearing - 7
Solid and hard working
Gerrard - 6
Didn't have one of his best days
Saurez - 7
Our best player, lively but maybe a bit greedy at times
Carroll - 5
Didn't do much..surprising...

Subs:

Kuyt - 7
As ever injected energy
Coates - 6
Not really on long enough to make a difference
Henderson - 6
Likewise, although I'm sure he wouldn't