Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw against a lowly Sunderland, as the away side gave away the lead twice to end up with just one point. The Reds were expected to come out on top of the game after taking a lead through Daniel Sturridge but Jermain Defoe slotted home a penalty in the first half after a foul by Ragnar Klavan.

The Reds then took the lead again, late in the game, as Sadio Mane made up for a few misses but the Senegalese star was guilty of giving away the second penalty of the game as he handled the ball in the box.

Defoe stepped up again to slot the ball in and levelled the scores again. The draw meant that Liverpool are five points behind Chelsea in the race for the title as the Blues still have a game in hand on their rivals. There were a number of players who were hits and misses and we rate the performances of the Liverpool stars.

Simon Mignolet – 7/10

Even though the Belgian could not stop the two penalties going in, he did a great job between the sticks. Mignolet did deny Defoe and Jack Rodwell in the game.

James Milner – 6/10

This was bound to happen but Milner looked really tired and was replaced at halftime with Alberto Moreno. The Englishman was also booked in the game.

Dejan Lovren – 7/10

The Croatian had a role to play in the first goal scored as his scuffed shot let Sturridge in to score. The defender also made a few important challenges in the second half and was the best defender for the side.

Ragnar Klavan – 6/10

After recent impressive performances by the Estonian, it was a poor night this time around. He gave away the first penalty but did well after that.

Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10

The Englishman did link up well in the attack but wasn’t really all that great in the game.

Adam Lallana – 6/10

Lallana looked a little jaded in the first half but gradually got better in the second half of the game. He too was not at his sprightly self as Liverpool just could not break down the Black Cats easily.

Emre Can – 5/10

The German midfielder had a rather poor game in the first half and even in the second half struggled to assert himself in the heart of the park.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10

Liverpool’s hero from the last game, Wijnaldum wasn’t at his best either and he too was replaced in the game after failing to impress.

Sadio Mane – 6/10

From Hero to villain in a matter of minutes, his tenacity got the second goal but why oh why did he give that handball away?

Roberto Firmino – 6/10

Firmino is either really good or average on match days and today we saw the latter persona come out to play. He did have a few good touches but wasn’t at his best either.

Daniel Sturridge – 7/10

Sturridge got the goal and looked like the best attacker for the Reds. He could have scored a few more but Liverpool fans will be worried about the injury he picked up in the game.

Substitutes:

Alberto Moreno – 6/10

Brought on in the second half, Moreno didn’t actually do all that bad and had a few good moments down the left flank as well.

Divock Origi – 6/10

Origi could have started the game as he was fresh but came on late with no real effect on the pitch.

Lucas Leiva – NA

Lucas didn’t really do much in the game as he was brought on late.