FA CUP: Liverpool v Everton - Liverpool team ratings

Jan 26 2009 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool FC club badge (160)

PEPE REINA: Had no chance on the one occasion the ball came near him. The 2006 shoot-out remains pretty much his last FA Cup action. Score 7

ALVARO ARBELOA: A comfortable afternoon at the back, keeping it tidy and simple. Score 7

ANDREA DOSSENA: Regular Dossena fans (well, both of them) will be pleased to know he was no less unorthodox on his return. But it was a solid enough comeback and he looked a promising outlet on the left. Score 7

MARTIN SKRTEL: Made sure Anichebe was never going to give him another gruelling work-out with a frighteningly dominant display. English football is still taking time to adapt to his physical style. Score 8

JAMIE CARRAGHER: Slotted back into central defence as effortlessly as his outrageous drag-back fooled Leon Osman. Score 8

DIRK KUYT: Having difficulty rediscovering the form of early in the season and his lack of impact needs to be sorted out before the run-in really kicks in. Score 6

JAVIER MASCHERANO: Made a fair fist of the midfield battle but his wasting of possession sums up the lack of cutting edge. As does the fact that he actually came closest to scoring in the first half Score 6

STEVEN GERRARD: Would his current troubles off the field affect his ability to lead his team and produce those magic moments? Not guilty. Score 9

XABI ALONSO: Much more like his usual self with passes sprinkled and spread about quicker than messageboard rumours. Score 7

RYAN BABEL: The Everton fans feared the worst when he lined up one blast at the Anfield Road End but they needn’t have worried – it missed them completely and went for a throw-in. Score 7

FERNANDO TORRES: Quite often frustrated by Jagielka but the flick for Gerrard’s goal and his bewildering losing of Lescott by the corner flag shows just how hard it is to contain him. Score 7

ALBERT RIERA (for Babel 75): Gave Everton something extra to worry about late on, which was the least he could do really. Score 7 Score 7