Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Lazar Markovic scored his first goal in the Premier League since his £20m summer move from Benfica to give Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sunderland .
Markovic has been given a solid run in the Liverpool staring line-up of late having shown signs that he was beginning to settle in English football, and he gave the Reds a lead they would not relinquish in the eighth minute with a close range finish that went between the legs of Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
The Black Cats were struggling for clear-cut opportunities at goal, and their task was made even harder when Liam Bridcutt was shown a second yellow card in the 49th minute, although the decision was a harsh one on the defensive midfielder.
Lazar Markovic scores for Liverpool (Getty Images) Adam Johnson went closest for Sunderland in their search for an equaliser as his long range effort baffled Simon Mignolet when it looped over him, only to cannon back off the crossbar.
So how did the players rate from the Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light?
Click on the gallery below to find out...
Show all 24 1 /24Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Costel Pantilimon - 6/10 Made a series of fine reaction saves as Liverpool peppered his area and could do little about Liverpool’s first-half goal.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Santiago Vergini - 4 Needlessly gave away a free kick in a dangerous location on the half hour, lacked discipline and gave the ball away.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Wes Brown - 4 Struggled to deal with the pace of Liverpool’s runners getting in behind him; the referee should have given a penalty for his challenge on Markovic.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings John O'Shea - 6 Dominant tackle on 24 minutes and looked a more authoritative presence than his colleague.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Patrick van Aanholt - 6 Could have done with more support from Johnson as he was overrun by Markovic, he did look more promising going forward.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Liam Bridcutt - 5 A solid enough presence in front of the defence but should have known better than to bring down Can on the right flank, earning him a red card.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Emmanuel Giaccherini - 5 A non-entity going forward who provided next to no support in defence, he did too little to ever worry Sakho.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Sebastian Larsson - 5 Tough in the tackle but his usually excellent set-piece delivery was lacking and in open play he sent the ball back to his defence too often.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Jordi Gomez - 5 Hustled off the ball too easily, he failed to keep possession or move the ball out wide. A disappointing performance from the man tasked with being his side’s creative fulcrum.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Adam Johnson - 6 After a quiet first half came into the game after the red card, taking on defenders and nearly scoring with a swerving 25-yarder.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Connor Wickham - 5 Skilful on the ball but offered so little movement off it that Liverpool’s defence had few problems from him.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Simon Mignolet - 5 Exceptionally lucky not to have been humiliated when he completely misread a Johnson shot in what was otherwise a quiet game.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Emre Can - 7 A brilliant pass set Borini through on goal, looked confident both in defence and midfield.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Mamadou Sakho - 6 Never looks entirely sure of himself and was prone to the odd careless moment, but moved the ball well.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Martin Skrtel - 6 He could have dealt with Wickham on his own without the need for another two centre-backs, a comfortable game.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Lazar Markovic - 8 He was at the heart of everything good about Liverpool, an energetic presence on the right flank, pressing high up the pitch and getting in goal-scoring positions.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Jordan Henderson - 6 His late runs into dangerous areas made him a constant threat to Sunderland but he might have done better in front of goal.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Lucas Leiva - 6 The midfield anchorman seemed unnecessary when Sunderland showed so little ambition, he kept the ball well.
Getty Images
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Steven Gerrard - 5 A strange performance by the captain. He got himself in the right positions but always seemed to scuff the ball or make the wrong decision.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Alberto Moreno - 6 A solid performance shuttling up and down the left flank, though most of Liverpool’s success came on the other flank.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Philippe Coutinho - 7 A superb lofted through ball to Henderson that could have led to a goal was one of many in another good creative performance.
Getty Images
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Fabio Borini - 5 Missing an open goal after an excellent run took him past the keeper perfectly summarises a performance, and Liverpool career, that never really got going.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Dejan Lovren - 6 Could not have asked for a more comfortable return to the Liverpool side, Sunderland offered little to threaten the Croat.
Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 player ratings Mario Balotelli - 5 The Italian striker may find that first Premier League goal easier to find if he stops forcing it, he was always looking to score when his colleagues were better placed.
Do you agree with our ratings? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies