Performance ratings for every player.

LIVERPOOL

SIMON MIGNOLET: Had a couple of anxious moments but generally looked strong and made fine saves to deny Fernandinho and Dzeko. 7

GLEN JOHNSON: Supported Liverpool's many attacks, whipping in some dangerous crosses, and made a vital clearance off the line but caught out as City hit back. 7

MARTIN SKRTEL: Had occasional moments of alarm - and got away with a handball in the box - but made some timely interceptions at the back and showed aerial ability with a good glancing header for the Reds' second goal. 7

MAMADOU SAKHO: Got away with a rash challenge on Dzeko in the area but gave a committed display. 6

JON FLANAGAN: Got forward when he could, supporting attacks well, and was composed in defence. 7

STEVEN GERRARD: Solid and influential at the base of Liverpool's midfield, had a great chance, set up a goal and made one goal-saving tackle. 9

JORDAN HENDERSON: Heavily involved in Liverpool's attacks, underlining his confidence, but got sloppy as City upped the tempo after the break and paid the price with a red card for a bad tackle on Nasri. 6

PHILIPPE COUTINHO: Made some crunching tackles that seemed at odds with his usual creative style, but that underlined his commitment to the cause, and his finish for his side's third was superb. 8

RAHEEM STERLING: Showed his pace, finishing ability and composure with a brilliant opening goal and was at the heart of most of Liverpool's attacks, in numerous positions. 9

LUIS SUAREZ: Seemed on the edge at times as City looked to get at him following his early booking but some of his contributions, including the pass for Sterling's opener, were impressive. 8

DANIEL STURRIDGE: Made some good runs to get behind the defence and glanced a good chance wide before making way in a reshuffle midway through the second half. 7

SUBSTITUTES:

JOE ALLEN (for Sturridge, 66): Introduced to bring more solidity after City fought back to 2-2 and made a difference, tightening midfield and providing renewed attacking spark. 7

VICTOR MOSES (for Countinho, 89): Made a late entrance as time ran down. n/a

LUCAS (for Sterling, 90): Brought on in injury time to see the game through. n/a

MANCHESTER CITY

JOE HART: Unsighted by Kompany for the first goal and could do little about the others, made some good saves. 6

PABLO ZABALETA: City's most impressive defender, coming centrally to tidy up and attacking on the right. 7

MARTIN DEMICHELIS: Found himself under a lot of pressure but coped relatively well with the attacking onslaught. 7

VINCENT KOMPANY: An unusually error-ridden display, with mistakes ahead of three Liverpool goals, so perhaps not fully fit. 5

GAEL CLICHY: Caught out by the speed of some of Liverpool's attacks on a difficult afternoon. 6

JESUS NAVAS: Struggled to get into the game and was withdrawn early in the second half. 5

YAYA TOURE: Looked to drive the team forward, sometimes from deep but appeared to get injured in attempting a shot and was withdrawn after 19 minutes. 5

FERNANDINHO: Stepped up after Toure was withdrawn and provided a strong performance, in attack and defence. 8

SAMIR NASRI: Got little time on the ball in the first half but involved in some of City's more positive second-half play. 6

DAVID SILVA: Frustrated early on but grew in influence to become the main dangerman as the game went on. 9

EDIN DZEKO: Kept quiet for most of the game but did test Mignolet with one powerful strike. 6

SUBSTITUTES:

JAVI GARCIA (for Toure, 19): Booked within moments of coming on but provided the back-up for Fernandinho to attack more. 6

JAMES MILNER (for Navas, 50): Made an immediate impact with his clever running and set up Silva's goal. 7

SERGIO AGUERO (for Dzeko, 68): City appeared to be going for the kill as he was introduced but he did not make a big impact. 6