Riera

[Le Chef]

Starting to look like the player he was at Man City

Bright start, but lately quite poor and he looks knackered

[NicoBernetini]

He needs a rest, which is fully deserved.
His control and touch are the best in the liverpool squad by a country mile.

[Leyton388]

He has played every prem game so far this season so i think he needs a rest but he is a lot more consistent and better than he was a city. If you want to be critical of anyone today it should be Stevie ME again he was poor all though the game and casual at times. He as been like this the past few games now and its starting to piss me off a little bit. Step up lad and lead the team rather than coast games.

[Joe King]

Starting to look like the player he was at Man City

Bright start, but lately quite poor and he looks knackered

I think he was quite poor today. Didn't give enough protection to Insua especially in the first half.

[Le Chef]

He's played 17, one less than Keane and they both get around an hour each

[JohnDoe]

I think defenders learned how to deal with him since he's less likely to beat you with pace, so they're giving him as little space as possible and preventing him from going outside for a cross, which is his main weapon.

[Mike]

He's played 17, one less than Keane and they both get around an hour each

Keane has been subbed more times though.

Riera deserves a rest, give Babel a start on the left although he was poor when he played today.

[Lee]

He's pleasantly surprised me with how well he's done. If he can continue his form from his first 10 games then he'll be a bargain. However the last month or so he's started to look very tired and his performance levels dropped.

It'd be good to give Babel a run of games now whilst Riera has a rest - Babel has been poor this season, very poor, but perhaps a run of games will give his confidence a boost and his performances will improve.

[Dantheman]

There's just very little end product with Riera at the moment. He keeps possession well and moves the ball on well but where are the crosses and the killer passes? Agree that he probably needs a rest

[Parm]

There's just very little end product with Riera at the moment. He keeps possession well and moves the ball on well but where are the crosses and the killer passes? Agree that he probably needs a rest

he did combine well with Torres so I hope when he is back the whole team will get a boost and improve on their performances. I dont think Reira needs a rest though.

[Dantheman]

he did combine well with Torres so I hope when he is back the whole team will get a boost and improve on their performances. I dont think Reira needs a rest though.

But if he doesn't need a rest then is this his best form? Hope you're right re:him and Torres, also got to bear in mind it's his first season in the Prem

[rage]

he's faded fast. yes he holds the ball well, shows composure and is clearly talented but as an attacking threat has faded very fast. i can't remember the last time i saw him beat a man on the outside and whip a ball into the box. his lack of pace is a real shortcoming in the style we play. i remember beckham had no pace but he'd always get an extra half yard and whip a dangerous cross in, we simply don't play that type of football with players running into the box.

real shame after a bright start. excellent professional but i really think we needed someone who could run at players and beat them with both guile and pace.

[Le Chef]

He is always looking to cut inside these days, like Rage says I can't remember him beating a man and delivering a cross.

[fah-q]

In his defense, whilst he has faded a bit in recent games he does bring a balance to the midfield. His ability to keep the ball (even when he seems perpetually on the point of losing control of it) does help other players to find space.

His propensity to go down a tad too easily annoys me though.

[Matt]

In his defense, whilst he has faded a bit in recent games he does bring a balance to the midfield. His ability to keep the ball (even when he seems perpetually on the point of losing control of it) does help other players to find space.

His propensity to go down a tad too easily annoys me though.

I like him, he looks like he runs in slow motion but his control is excellent.

The point about Torres is valid, if Riera has someone ahead of him who's quick enough to work the channels there's always that extra option which gets a defence in two minds. When there's not much movement ahead of him he ends up going down blind alleys.