We rate the players in the game between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

By Abhishek Mehrotra

Manchester United

Edwin van der Sar - 5

Liverpool had only one shot on target and van der Sar ended up picking that up from the back of his net. Had a nice quiet afternoon otherwise.

Nemanja Vidic - 6

Vidic would have been worried about Fernando Torres after the working over the striker gave him the last time round. The Serb was much better this time - closing down Torres quickly and not allowing the Spaniard to dribble past him. Could be blamed for not doing the same job on Kuyt, which allowed the Dutchman to cross for the first goal.

Rio Ferdinand - 6.5

Laid down a marker for the game with some sturdy challenges on both Torres and Steven Gerrard. Should have done much better for the Reds' opener - when Torres drifted past him to head the ball in.

Patrice Evra - 6

Did not get a lot of joy going forward on the left and could not link up effectively with Nani - since the winger was shackled effectively by Liverpool. The Frenchman was good defensively though - and adapted well to the flank interchange between Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt.

Gary Neville - 4

Should have communicated better with Ferdinand to not allow Torres to come in between them. Looked leggy as the match went on but one lung busting run drew Insua towards him which allowed Fletcher to cross the ball for United's second.

Michael Carrick - 6.5

Was guilty of giving away the ball in midfield which allowed Liverpool to take possession which led to the first goal. Shut Gerrard out effectively, not allowing the Liverpool captain to rip through the midfield. Distributed the ball well to help United take advantage of the full width of the pitch.

Darren Fletcher - 7

Never managed to get into what was an extremely cagey game. Lost possession with some stray passes, but made a vital contribution with a superb cross that Park buried into the Liverpool goal.

Nani - 6.5

Did not feature too much in the game but was very good when he did. His control was brilliant and crosses incisive - and Liverpool did well, not allowing the Portuguese to see too much of the ball or else they could have been punished.

Antonio Valencia - 7.5

There was only one winner in the flank battle between Insua and Valencia. The Ecuadorian simply pummelled Insua - figuratively speaking. Managed to get in crosses with an amazing frequency. Won the penalty with one signature run and cut-in from the right to draw the foul from Javier Mascherano.

Ji-Sung Park - 8

Park would probably run the Energiser Bunny off the field - such is his amazing stamina and movement. Popped up here, there and everywhere in between. The Korean is not known for his finishing and he showed why by missing a couple of free headers in the first half, but drifted in between the defenders to head the ball past Reina for the winner.

Wayne Rooney - 5

Had one of his quietest outings in recent memory - the penalty notwithstanding. Played as a lone striker which did not allow him to drop back and gather the ball like he normally does. Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson combined well to not give him any space with the ball.

Subs

Ryan Giggs - n.a

Paul Scholes - n.a

Liverpool

Pepe Reina - 5

Was desperately unlucky when his superb penalty save bounced back to Rooney. Looked slighly unsure of where his posts were and conceded corners in attempting to save strikes which were going wide.

Daniel Agger - 3

An entirely unconvincing performance from the centre back. Valencia simply burst past him a couple of times and the Dane was made some sloppy clearances as well.

Jamie Carragher - 6.5

His enthusiasm for the game threatened to have him sent off - and he got away with a couple of dangerous tackles. On the whole though, he was instrumental in keeping Rooney quiet for large parts of the match. Made some good forward runs himself to provide Liverpool with an extra attacking edge.

Emiliano Insua - 2

Was the weakest link in the Reds defence and had a role to play in both the goals they conceded. Was steamrolled by Valencia time and again - both in defence and attack. Both the goals came from his side of the pitch. His delivery, on the few occasions he went forward failed to trouble the United defence.

Glen Johnson - 6

Combined well with Carragher to keep Rooney on a leash. Did not allow the crafty Nani to get past him either. Was a disppointment as an force though - frequently crowded out and unable to emulate what his counterpart Valencia did so effectively for United.

Javier Mascherano - 2.5

The Argentenian seems to leave his brain behind, safely locked in a cupboard every time a big match comes around. Gave away the penalty that allowed United back into the game and could not bring Gerrard into the game.

Lucas - 4

Barely featured in midfield for Liverpoo after an encouraging opening few minutes. Was overrun by the five players United played in the centre of the park. His failure to get a grip on proceedings meant that Gerrard could not be as involved as Liverpool would have liked.

Maxi Rodriguez - 5

Helped out Insua time and again at the back with some crucial tackles. Alternated with Kuyt on the flanks but never really picked out any pass of note.

Dirk Kuyt - 6

Was the provider for Torres for the first goal and put in his usual gut busting shift up and down the wings. Could have done better by trying to cut in instead of running towards the byline every time.

Steven Gerrard - 4

Barely cast any influence on the game. Lacked support in midfield and was starved of any supply whatsoever. United's defensive players kept him bound for the entire game. Managed to get in a couple of square balls but Torres could not take advantage of them.

Fernando Torres - 6

His brilliant movement allowed him to drift in between Neville and Ferdinand for the first goal, but the striker never really featured after that. Missed a sitter deep into extra-time which would have allowed Liverpool to square things.

Subs

Alberto Aquilani - 2

Poor with his passing when Liverpool needed it the most.

Ryan Babel - 6

Showed good energy and looked one of the few players who could get Liverpool back on level terms.

Yossi Benayoun - 1

You head a ball straight into Van der Sar's arms from three yards out deep in injury time and one is all you get.