Derby ratings: Liverpool

Sep 29 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

PEPE REINA

While Everton are yet to secure a shutout, this was the Spaniard’s sixth clean sheet of the season. Hardly had a save to make but was somewhat fortunate to have be adjudged to have been fouled by Fellaini when the Belgian’s shot was cleared off the line by Jamie Carragher. Score 7

ALVARO ARBELOA

Both gave and received a few strong challenges, the right-back was in the thick of the derby action and was booked for a bad tackle on Cahill. Score 6

ANDREA DOSSENA

The most expensive defender in the club’s history still fails to convince many Liverpool fans. Left-back has been a problem position for a while for Rafael Benitez and a solution might not yet have been found. Score 6

MARTIN SKRTEL

Came out on top in a powerful duel with Yakubu. Kept Everton’s main goal threat under wraps but was lucky to get away without being punished for a stray elbow on the Nigerian early on. Score 7

JAMIE CARRAGHER

With Everton only starting with one up front and Skrtel mostly keeping tabs on Yakubu, he was often a spare man at the back for Liverpool but was there when called upon to block Fellaini’s shot off the line unaware that the referee had blown for a foul on Reina. Score 6

DIRK KUYT

Covered a lot of ground in a hardworking display. Acted as the foil for the first goal as his run off the ball left Lescott out of position and Torres in space. Score 7

XABI ALONSO

Was unable to use his passing range to great effect and fell victim to Cahill’s lunge late on having been booked himself early for a foul on fellow Basque Arteta. Score 6

STEVEN GERRARD

Having been substituted by Benitez in the previous Goodison derby for playing with ‘too much passion’, Liverpool’s skipper lasted the course this time, pulling all the strings in midfield. Score 8

ALBERT RIERA

After an impressive debut against Manchester United, the Spanish winger is still reacquainting himself with the pace of the Premier League game. Score 6

ROBBIE KEANE

Produced one of his most effective displays yet as his hanging cross was perfectly weighted for Torres to net the opener. Score 7

FERNANDO TORRES

His quickfire brace in an early second half purple patch left the hosts floundering. It was an amazing turnaround for the striker who had earlier endured a frustrating afternoon and had been booked for dissent. Score 7

SUBSTITUTES

FABIO AURELIO (on for RIERA 67)

The Brazilian left-back’s stop-start Anfield career was revived with a second half substitute display which bizarrely saw him operating on the right wing for a while. Score 6

JERMAINE PENNANT (on for KEANE 86)

LUCAS (on for ALONSO 86)