The Season So Far - Player Ratings....

[carheex]

Well i stand by my opinion that you simply haven't seen our matches this season. He was the only player today who can hold his head up.

Even if he was our best player today, which is highly debateable, it still doesn't make up for being a passenger do far this season.

[anfieldanfield]

With two weeks off for those pesky international games, it's a time to reflect a little upon the opening sector of the season...

5 = Average

Reina (3) He's looked a liability in almost every game, and has been clearly at fault for at least three goals, possibly more. His place in the side is unquestionably in danger, needs to step it up a gear (or three) when we return to action. A major factor in our poor start to the season.

Finnan (5) He's had ups and downs, and hasn't been helped by no rests and a constant changing of the backline, but he's done well enough to warrant an average rating.

Carragher (4) Below par. Woeful against Everton away, and at times has looked a shadow of his former self. That said, he's put in some tidy performances too, PSV away being a prime example. Needs to rise out of this mini splump, sooner rather than later.

Agger (7) A real positive point to the season, player of the season so far. Looks very assured in possession, gives us a different option, and strong defensively. Massive opening performance against Chelsea in the Community Shield and a screamer against West Ham too. My only concern would be his lack of strength and height in comparison to Sami. Could do with hitting the gym.

Hyypia (4) Unfortunately, this may be a season too far for Sami, certainly in terms of a regular starting position. Still immense in the air, and valuable against long ball teams and in Europe, he'll be playing less and less as the season progresses, has looked shaky during our opening 10 games.

Riise (6) Two great goals and some decent displays. Unlucky to pick up a couple of knocks. Our best left back by a mile.

Warnock (5) Hardly played, looked OK when he has done.

Aurelio (4) Great left foot, some lovely crosses and some neat passing. Unfortunately he's a woeful defender. Play him at left midfield Rafa, or dont play him at all. It's that simple. I suppose he was free, but I'm not entirely sure why Rafa felt the need to bring this lad in, we've already got two left backs and at least two left midfielders. Odd. Could well be sold in the summer.

Pennant (4) For 7m I expected a lot, lot more. It's not that he does anything *wrong*, it's just that he doesn't do anything right. A couple of assists save him slightly, but that doesn't detract from the fact that he's generally looked staggeringly average, so far. I think he knows he doesn't deserve to be playing for us, he's punching well above his weight. I'll be surprised if he scores even one goal for us this season.

Gerrard (6) He's been better than most, but by his exceptionally high standards, it's been a poor start to the season, no goals and not many assists, he's looked strangely and worryingly subdued thus far. Tired ? Maybe. Annoyed at being played on the flanks ? Possibly. Whatever the problem is, he needs to sort it out. Because when Stevie plays poorly, Liverpool play poorly. Crap hair too.

Alonso (5) A great goal and display against Newcastle stops me from giving him a '4', I still feel he's playing within himself, gives the ball away too much and is painfully flat footed. Needs to step it up.

Sissoko (6) A monster display against Chelsea in the Charity Shield, hasn't really kept up that level since, but nonetheless, one of our more consistent performers. I'd really like to see a Sissoko - Gerrard combo in the center of the park.

Zenden (4) He's just not a particularly good footballer. Why Hamann was let go and Zenden was kept, I'll never know.

Gonzales (6) Deserves more time on the pitch after a nice couple of goals and some half decent displays. Rumours of illness, injury and nights out on the lash hardly inspire confidence, but even so, he offers genuine width and with a bit more time, might be able to beat his man and hit the byline every so often, which would be nice.

Garcia (6) He always looks lively, whenever and wherever he plays. A nice goal the other night, and 3/4 assists already this season, there's always room for him in the squad, if not the first choice eleven.

Crouch (7) When he's been played, he's generally scored. 5 goals in 9 games this season. It's that simple. Was extremely unlucky to be left out yesterday.

Kuyt (6) 2 goals in 7 games isn't spectacular by any means, but it's been a good start to the dutchman's Liverpool career, fully of energy, enthusiasm and hard work. A key player for the rest of the season.

Bellamy (3) 1 goal in 10 games speaks for itself. Not good enough. He's desperately lacking confidence and isn't offering enough either from out wide or through the center. He's been lucky in the sense that Rafa seems to have patience with the lad, but I can't see that being the case much longer, Crouch deserves to take his place.

Fowler (4) 1 goal in 2 games, isn't bad, but he hasn't played well, (albeit against Sheff Utd/Everton when no-one played well). It's hard to judge really, with such limited playing time under his belt, I still think he's good to have around the place, and will be useful for the domestic Cups when everyone else is knackered. He'll be let go in the summer, but I'm still glad he's back home. He's a legend. He's God.

[Joey Jones]

Everybody’s entitled to their opinion but I can't see how you've come to the decision to give Zenden 4 and Bellamy 3. OK Bellamy hasn't had a great season so far but he deserves at least a 5 for his work rate.

I would have thought it's obvious that he's a very good player who's short of confidence at the moment, wasn't Crouch in the same position last year when he was also struggling to find the net?!

[friedk]

With two weeks off for those pesky international games, it's a time to reflect a little upon the opening sector of the season...

5 = Average

Reina (3) He's looked a liability in almost every game, and has been clearly at fault for at least three goals, possibly more. His place in the side is unquestionably in danger, needs to step it up a gear (or three) when we return to action. A major factor in our poor start to the season.

Finnan (5) He's had ups and downs, and hasn't been helped by no rests and a constant changing of the backline, but he's done well enough to warrant an average rating.

Carragher (4) Below par. Woeful against Everton away, and at times has looked a shadow of his former self. That said, he's put in some tidy performances too, PSV away being a prime example. Needs to rise out of this mini splump, sooner rather than later.

Agger (7) A real positive point to the season, player of the season so far. Looks very assured in possession, gives us a different option, and strong defensively. Massive opening performance against Chelsea in the Community Shield and a screamer against West Ham too. My only concern would be his lack of strength and height in comparison to Sami. Could do with hitting the gym.

Hyypia (4) Unfortunately, this may be a season too far for Sami, certainly in terms of a regular starting position. Still immense in the air, and valuable against long ball teams and in Europe, he'll be playing less and less as the season progresses, has looked shaky during our opening 10 games.

Riise (6) Two great goals and some decent displays. Unlucky to pick up a couple of knocks. Our best left back by a mile.

Warnock (5) Hardly played, looked OK when he has done.

Aurelio (4) Great left foot, some lovely crosses and some neat passing. Unfortunately he's a woeful defender. Play him at left midfield Rafa, or dont play him at all. It's that simple. I suppose he was free, but I'm not entirely sure why Rafa felt the need to bring this lad in, we've already got two left backs and at least two left midfielders. Odd. Could well be sold in the summer.

Pennant (4) For 7m I expected a lot, lot more. It's not that he does anything *wrong*, it's just that he doesn't do anything right. A couple of assists save him slightly, but that doesn't detract from the fact that he's generally looked staggeringly average, so far. I think he knows he doesn't deserve to be playing for us, he's punching well above his weight. I'll be surprised if he scores even one goal for us this season.

Gerrard (6) He's been better than most, but by his exceptionally high standards, it's been a poor start to the season, no goals and not many assists, he's looked strangely and worryingly subdued thus far. Tired ? Maybe. Annoyed at being played on the flanks ? Possibly. Whatever the problem is, he needs to sort it out. Because when Stevie plays poorly, Liverpool play poorly. Crap hair too.

Alonso (5) A great goal and display against Newcastle stops me from giving him a '4', I still feel he's playing within himself, gives the ball away too much and is painfully flat footed. Needs to step it up.

Sissoko (6) A monster display against Chelsea in the Charity Shield, hasn't really kept up that level since, but nonetheless, one of our more consistent performers. I'd really like to see a Sissoko - Gerrard combo in the center of the park.

Zenden (4) He's just not a particularly good footballer. Why Hamann was let go and Zenden was kept, I'll never know.

Gonzales (6) Deserves more time on the pitch after a nice couple of goals and some half decent displays. Rumours of illness, injury and nights out on the lash hardly inspire confidence, but even so, he offers genuine width and with a bit more time, might be able to beat his man and hit the byline every so often, which would be nice.

Garcia (6) He always looks lively, whenever and wherever he plays. A nice goal the other night, and 3/4 assists already this season, there's always room for him in the squad, if not the first choice eleven.

Crouch (7) When he's been played, he's generally scored. 5 goals in 9 games this season. It's that simple. Was extremely unlucky to be left out yesterday.

Kuyt (6) 2 goals in 7 games isn't spectacular by any means, but it's been a good start to the dutchman's Liverpool career, fully of energy, enthusiasm and hard work. A key player for the rest of the season.

Bellamy (3) 1 goal in 10 games speaks for itself. Not good enough. He's desperately lacking confidence and isn't offering enough either from out wide or through the center. He's been lucky in the sense that Rafa seems to have patience with the lad, but I can't see that being the case much longer, Crouch deserves to take his place.

Fowler (4) 1 goal in 2 games, isn't bad, but he hasn't played well, (albeit against Sheff Utd/Everton when no-one played well). It's hard to judge really, with such limited playing time under his belt, I still think he's good to have around the place, and will be useful for the domestic Cups when everyone else is knackered. He'll be let go in the summer, but I'm still glad he's back home. He's a legend. He's God.

Based on the above, I would have Finnan at 6, not spectacular, but still above average.

Riise deserves a 7, he continues to impress me at LB, he has improved his defence tremendously without losing his instinct to attack.

Aurelio I would have at 5, but I would prefer to see him in left midfield or on the left of a back five. His passing and crossing from the left is the best we have in the side.

Zenden I would put at 4, if that. I really haven't seen anything from him to justify his place in the side.

Garcia is a 7 for me. He is the one player who has continually looked for things to happen around the pitch. Yes, we all know he is wasteful at times, but we have been more of a threat every time he has played for us this season.

Crouch I feel deserves an 8; his job is to hold up the ball and score goals; and he has done both well and consistently this season. I think his goals/minutes played ratio is as good as anyone in the league at the moment.