Sunderland vs Liverpool player ratings: Lazar Markovic leads the way but which Reds defender rated highly?

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.

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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...

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