Riera

[Scratch]

Just a comment on his pace...people say he's no whippet, but he seemed to have the legs on that spaghetti haired fella, and he's no slouch??

[Matt]

Didn't see that myself mate, usually when the ball gets played a few yards ahead of Bertie it ends with a sliding tackle and a throw-in

[Le Chef]

Didn't see that myself mate, usually when the ball gets played a few yards ahead of Bertie it ends with a sliding tackle and a throw-in

[Craig_H]

[Skillz]

Both he and Kuyt are showing signs of fatigue. Babel needs to get his **** together because he should be getting games but on form he should be sold.

[Marky]

Both he and Kuyt are showing signs of fatigue. Babel needs to get his **** together because he should be getting games but on form he should be sold.

He does, very frustrating the way things have gone for him this season, he should really be coming into his own.

[memzey]

I think Babel is getting a bit of harsh treatment to be honest. He was OK against PSV IMHO, but I do think it's time for him to now push on. I have a theory that Rafa's treatment of him and Keane is designed to have them chomping at the bit and eager to prove people wrong in the second half of the season.

Back to Riera: since Torres has been injured he has been cutting inside almost every time he's got the ball, which has restricted his effectiveness. It'll be very interesting to see if that changes back once Torres is fit again.

[dww]

We have played relatively poorly of late all over. I think Riera has faded the more he has cut inside. When he stuck on his wing he did really well. I think he is suffering as we try and use the fullbacks more. Hopefully if we get a settled leftback the relationship between the two will help them both to make better decisions.

[wiw]

We have played relatively poorly of late all over. I think Riera has faded the more he has cut inside. When he stuck on his wing he did really well. I think he is suffering as we try and use the fullbacks more. Hopefully if we get a settled leftback the relationship between the two will help them both to make better decisions.

Saying that, he's a different player when Aurelio plays, they seem to have a really good understanding

[dww]

Saying that, he's a different player when Aurelio plays, they seem to have a really good understanding

Yeah, Aurelio seems slightly less keen on bombing on compared to Insua/Dossena and has more confidence in his short passing. I guess his renewed injury problems have coincided more or less with the drop off in Riera's play as well. Still I think once one of Insua or Dossena get a run of games we could hope to see an improvement.

[Parm]

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

he did play for Citeh a few years ago.

[dom9]

Tidy finish for his goal I thought.

[anfieldanfield]

Yep, decent finish.

Needs to score more goals and he'll never be a world beater, but a very good Premiership player nonetheless.

[EST_1892]

I think the last few games he's not been used as much as needs be. Most stuff has been coming up the right to Kuyt whilst Riera had been treading the touchline on the left not seeing the ball.

Today he was involved much more. Some of it in the centre and even bits on the right. Almost like a free role across the front and he had a good game, if not a MOM game.

He's scored the same amount as Tevez too now for this season!

[Harv]

Yep, decent finish.

Needs to score more goals and he'll never be a world beater, but a very good Premiership player nonetheless.

decent

It was bloody top notch.