Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

It's simple.

Presuming we don't bring in a left sided player before the start of the season who would you play on the left side against Spurs, presuming we go 4-2-3-1?

Lets not kid ourselves into thinking that Babel will start unless there are a bout of injuries. Basically, Kuyt will playon the right if fit and it's a straight fight between Riera and Benayoun for the other spot.

If you look at the two of them their seasons last year were almost the exact opposite. Riera came in and started like a house on fire but then faded towards the second half of the season. Benayoun on the other hand had a storming second half of the season, turning in some brilliant performances and scoring some vital goals.

Obviously they both have their strengths and weaknesses. Riera probably has better ball retention and will keep his shape better but can be easily marked out of games. He will however do more work defensively than Benayoun and for this reason you could probably argue that he'd be more suited to a tough away game at Tottenham.

Benayoun on the other hand is not a traditional wide player and is a lot more unpredictable than Riera but that gives you an advantage in that he's always capable of unlocking a defence or scoring. All in all he's probably more of an attacking threat than Riera. I wouldn't want to be Insua behind him though, especially with Aaron Lennon bombing down that wing all day. With our general lack of ability to break teams down at home last year who sat deep and defended you can probably see him starting more games at home than away.

So which of the two would you play away at Spurs and what do you think Rafa will do? Also, which of the two do you expect to have a bigger impact this season?

[Dundalk]

Both on top form Id go with Benny.

He really stepped up the the mark last season and was arguably are best player after Christmas. HE is a constant threat to defenders and his vision and awareness of play is very good. One thing I would drag him up on would be his crossing from the wings however if he is dribbling into the box (which is what he normally dose) he is brilliant and pulling the ball back and finding a man.

Id go for Benny, Rafa will go for Riera

[LFC2007]

Generally speaking if he's fit and isn't suffering from a major loss of form, then it's a no brainer for me. Riera.

He's the better player of the two. Principally because he keeps the ball better, he keeps his position and gives us great shape, he can head reasonably well and he's generally more consistent. Benayoun for me is still generally a cover player, or an impact player. What you'll get from Benny that won't get as often from Riera is more end product, because he's more direct in his style. He drifts inside a lot and when on form he's good at infiltrating tight spaces and seeing the clever pass, he can make those movements and see those passes simply because that's the type of player he is; a crafty, nimble little fecker. You saw how it made a crucial difference in the games at Man City, Portsmouth and Fulham last season; all were late shows where he utilised his best attributes to create the openings or score the goal that gave us the three points. His main limitations are his tendancy to drift inside too often - particularly from the left, depriving us of enough width and his lack of any real physical attributes. Because of this, he's often struggled to get into games. If you look at when he's started a series of games, he doesn't usually carry the form and that's why Riera has got the nod in the past. Benayoun's more of a specialist if you like.

Riera's game is more about providing shape; he's the solid reliable option on the left, he's got good skill but he's not often as direct as Benayoun (operating from further out wide and lacking comparable subtelty, timing and vision at key moment), and he has generally lacked a bit in the final delivery since he joined. He generally isn't going to be the drifting link man like Benayoun, but he will keep the ball, he will pass very well, he will keep his position very well, he can hold his own physically - he has good pace, he offers very good aerial ability for a winger, and I still think there's more to come in terms of final product.

Different styles and both are useful, but simply because he's more consistent and allows us to flow better, Riera would start against Spurs. This is especially the case away from home at tough grounds. At home against Hull or the like, Benayoun has a better chance of making more of an impact as a starter as we generally hold a sizeable portion more possession.

[redhayesy]

Both on top form Id go with Benny.

He really stepped up the the mark last season and was arguably are best player after Christmas. HE is a constant threat to defenders and his vision and awareness of play is very good. One thing I would drag him up on would be his crossing from the wings however if he is dribbling into the box (which is what he normally dose) he is brilliant and pulling the ball back and finding a man.

Id go for Benny, Rafa will go for Riera

i agree mate that i'd go for yossi on this game,however to say Raffa will go with riera,is just an opinion cause for me-at last we have compotision for places within the team in certain postitions!

i do really like both players,both have brilliant qualities to break down oppo defences, so for me away games especially yossi is more effective as he provides the space,pass needed for stevie to get into better attacking positions on the break etc.

Riera is brilliant at maintaining the attack when we are in the assecentacy,good awarenes of movement around him etc,good crosser of the ball in majority of cases,good provider etc.

for me i really rate yossi,his attitude last season was un-questionable, eg- whenever he started a game or came on as asub he was brilliant,i have alot of time for the man,his energy levels,passing, an alround contribution is suberb to watch an for me is an un-sung hero to our play home & away.

Riera, also IMHO proved he has great skill,awarness an provided many,many chances for us last season,again i really rate the man,but just feel that somtimes he driftes in an out of games to much for me, however great signing an i'm expecting massive performances from him this season to finally un-lock weaker defences with his great ability in crosses etc especially at home to kill off teams we didn't last season.

for the opener against spurs either are more than capable of drlivering the above, but for me i'd pick yossi-but that's just my opinion,   IN RAFFA I TRUST.

[JoeTerp]

while Yossi is a very versatile player, I think there is a noticeable drop off in his effectiveness on a game when he is deployed on the left. I would only play him on the left if he is in "undroppable" form or during one of Riera's dip in form.  I don't know what Riera's fitness is going to be like now that he has had a whole proper per-season under his belt, but if he has to come off after an hour in almost every game, Yossi is a very good option for me as be brings something different, something that would could need in games to break teams down.  Babel and Dossena are decent options off the bench as well, Dpssena in particular if we already have 3 goals

[redhayesy]

while Yossi is a very versatile player, I think there is a noticeable drop off in his effectiveness on a game when he is deployed on the left. I would only play him on the left if he is in "undroppable" form or during one of Riera's dip in form.  I don't know what Riera's fitness is going to be like now that he has had a whole proper per-season under his belt, but if he has to come off after an hour in almost every game, Yossi is a very good option for me as be brings something different, something that would could need in games to break teams down.  Babel and Dossena are decent options off the bench as well, Dpssena in particular if we already have 3 goals

mate have you seen any pre-season games? where yossi has played he has been briliant,his enthusiasm,creativity etc has been a real plus piont for me.

i totally agree mate that yossi is a great option,an will always give us somthing different,that's why in certain games he for me is first choice above Riera. but the battle for a starting line up place i'm sure you'd agree will keep both on their toes an is a win,win situation alround.

[The_Rock]

With the team the way it is (ie.....No new signings) and if alonso goes........i will play both Riera and Benayoun in the same team

Riera on the left and Benayoun as the support striker with Gerrard dropping to midfield to partner mascherano.

[account deleted by request]

I would have to go with Riera as he gives the side better balance IMHO. Benayoun is a much better player than I gave him credit for, but he cuts inside too much and rarely stretches the play when played as a winger.

[bigmick]

Generally speaking if he's fit and isn't suffering from a major loss of form, then it's a no brainer for me. Riera.

He's the better player of the two. Principally because he keeps the ball better, he keeps his position and gives us great shape, he can head reasonably well and he's generally more consistent. Benayoun for me is still generally a cover player, or an impact player. What you'll get from Benny that won't get as often from Riera is more end product, because he's more direct in his style. He drifts inside a lot and when on form he's good at infiltrating tight spaces and seeing the clever pass, he can make those movements and see those passes simply because that's the type of player he is; a crafty, nimble little fecker. You saw how it made a crucial difference in the games at Man City, Portsmouth and Fulham last season; all were late shows where he utilised his best attributes to create the openings or score the goal that gave us the three points. His main limitations are his tendancy to drift inside too often - particularly from the left, depriving us of enough width and his lack of any real physical attributes. Because of this, he's often struggled to get into games. If you look at when he's started a series of games, he doesn't usually carry the form and that's why Riera has got the nod in the past. Benayoun's more of a specialist if you like.

Riera's game is more about providing shape; he's the solid reliable option on the left, he's got good skill but he's not often as direct as Benayoun (operating from further out wide and lacking comparable subtelty, timing and vision at key moment), and he has generally lacked a bit in the final delivery since he joined. He generally isn't going to be the drifting link man like Benayoun, but he will keep the ball, he will pass very well, he will keep his position very well, he can hold his own physically - he has good pace, he offers very good aerial ability for a winger, and I still think there's more to come in terms of final product.

Different styles and both are useful, but simply because he's more consistent and allows us to flow better, Riera would start against Spurs. This is especially the case away from home at tough grounds. At home against Hull or the like, Benayoun has a better chance of making more of an impact as a starter as we generally hold a sizeable portion more possession.

Exactly, especially the bit about Benayoun being a "crafty, numble little fecker".

No doubt about it for me though, Riera is a much better player who I've got big hopes for this season. I slagged him off before he signed and he really looked as if he was going to ram it down my throat before falling away a bit. I'm hoping that this time around he goes through with his effort, potentially the best left sider in the league UMHO.

[Johnny Boy]

Riera, as he is a more natural left sided player.

I do think Benayoun will have a good season though and I was highly impressed with him last year.

Depending on what Rafa plans on doing, and with the squad at the moment I would actually play both of them, Benny on the right and have Kuyt just behind Torres. Gerrard moving back into midfield.

I long for the days when we have a goal scoring midfielder from a central position in the side.

[Sabre]

Riera, both are good players, but we have better posession with the Spaniard.

Good post LFC2007.

[stmichael]

Riera for me needs to add more goals to his game. He certainly has the potential to do so, but for me, he should be looking to get 8-10 at least from that position as you know that Kuyt will weigh in with that from the other wing.

[GYBS]

All depends on the opposition - most of the time reira to provide natural width - as well as yossi did last season it fustrates the hell out of me watching him always driftt inside to flood the middle . but yossi defiantly agaiinst teams that park the bus

[heimdall]

I'd play Benny on the right and Riera on the left and use Kuyt as an impact sub. 

[stmichael]

All depends on the opposition - most of the time reira to provide natural width - as well as yossi did last season it fustrates the hell out of me watching him always driftt inside to flood the middle . but yossi defiantly agaiinst teams that park the bus

So we're saying that he should start against Stoke then? Their "performance" at Anfield last season made Chelsea's display in Barcelona seem adventurous.

Infact at home agisnt teams we should be beating I'd even consider playing Benayoun as an attacking central midfielder in a 4-4-1-1 system with Gerrard still playing off Torres. Ceratinly at West Ham he played centrally and not out wide.