Liverpool FC Forum

by **Igor Zidane** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:34 am

made in UK wrote:Half a cat amongst the pigeons here...

While it is true Riera offers us width and balance to the side which of course is very important for me I think he's a lethargic player and I'm not always as pleased as everyone else with his contributions during games. He has a nice touch and can whip in a decent cross but I haven't seen the 'fire in his belly' to to really fight when it matters. To often he drifts in and out of games when he should be doing his upmost to be a constant thorn in the oppositions side. If it were possible to mutate his ability with Kuyt's tenacity and work rate we'd have a b.loody good player on our hands. But as it stands, he isn't a player that stands head and shoulders above the likes of Kuyt and Lucas IMO, when his ability easily allows him to.

Fair post that Bam . the lad needs abit of umff.

by **Zidane** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:27 pm

You could say that about almost any of our players, some people are just never happy.

by **LFC2007** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:27 pm

I think he's head and shoulders above Lucas (for sure) and Kuyt simply because he's a far superior footballer (aside from effort and getting on the end of things) though I agree that we need to see more effort and end product. Bottom line for me though: good quality natural left wingers aren't that easy to find and we should be glad we've got one.

by **Rush Job** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:35 pm

LFC2007 wrote:I think he's head and shoulders above Lucas (for sure) and Kuyt simply because he's a far superior footballer (aside from effort and getting on the end of things) though I agree that we need to see more effort and end product. Bottom line for me though: good quality natural left wingers aren't that easy to find and we should be glad we've got one.

The lad we are trying to tie up on a precontract also plays down the left, much quicker than Riera and being also a striker likes to cut in.
This leads me to believe if he signs aswell as being cover for Torres he`ll also play the Kuyt role down the left with the width coming from the FBs.

by **Sir Roger** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:49 pm

Igor Zidane wrote:
made in UK wrote:Half a cat amongst the pigeons here...

While it is true Riera offers us width and balance to the side which of course is very important for me I think he's a lethargic player and I'm not always as pleased as everyone else with his contributions during games. He has a nice touch and can whip in a decent cross but I haven't seen the 'fire in his belly' to to really fight when it matters. To often he drifts in and out of games when he should be doing his upmost to be a constant thorn in the oppositions side. If it were possible to mutate his ability with Kuyt's tenacity and work rate we'd have a b.loody good player on our hands. But as it stands, he isn't a player that stands head and shoulders above the likes of Kuyt and Lucas IMO, when his ability easily allows him to.

Fair post that Bam . the lad needs abit of umff.

Isnt it umph?

by **Redman in wales** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:19 pm

Sir Roger wrote:
Igor Zidane wrote:
made in UK wrote:Half a cat amongst the pigeons here...

While it is true Riera offers us width and balance to the side which of course is very important for me I think he's a lethargic player and I'm not always as pleased as everyone else with his contributions during games. He has a nice touch and can whip in a decent cross but I haven't seen the 'fire in his belly' to to really fight when it matters. To often he drifts in and out of games when he should be doing his upmost to be a constant thorn in the oppositions side. If it were possible to mutate his ability with Kuyt's tenacity and work rate we'd have a b.loody good player on our hands. But as it stands, he isn't a player that stands head and shoulders above the likes of Kuyt and Lucas IMO, when his ability easily allows him to.

Fair post that Bam . the lad needs abit of muff.

Isnt it umph?

no, he got it right the first time

:nod

by **stmichael** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:26 pm

LFC2007 wrote:I think he's head and shoulders above Lucas (for sure) and Kuyt simply because he's a far superior footballer (aside from effort and getting on the end of things) though I agree that we need to see more effort and end product. Bottom line for me though: good quality natural left wingers aren't that easy to find and we should be glad we've got one.

that pretty much sums it up for me.

on his best days he's a handful. he also has the best delivery from dead balls at the club along with aurelio, so I'd want to keep him.

when he's off form he stinks the place out at times though. mind you, you could say that about most wingers in the modern day game.

by **Dundalk** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:01 am

Riera wants out

Albert Riera has indicated that he wants to leave Liverpool after revealing that his relationship with Rafael Benítez has deteriorated to the point where he thinks the manager has something against him.

In an outspoken attack on Benítez, Riera said the manager "turns a deaf ear" to his players and described Liverpool as a "sinking ship". He also questioned whether his fellow Spaniard was suited to the Real Madrid job because his style of football is not attractive enough.

Riera has played only twice for Liverpool since the end of January, making one start and one substitute's appearance in the Europa League, and the midfielder is giving serious consideration to asking for a transfer in an effort to earn a place in Spain's World Cup squad.

"When the coach doesn't say anything to you and you are in good shape with no physical problems and training well, you have no choice but to think [the fact you are not playing] is personal," Riera said. "The team's playing badly and needs changes. If I'm doing something badly and you're my boss and you trust in me, then you would tell me what I am doing wrong and what I have to do to play. [The fact that Benítez has not said anything] is what most hurts.

"Right now the only market open is the Russian one. I have offers from two clubs and, given my situation, that has made me reflect a lot ... My objective is to go to the World Cup and for that to happen I have to play."

Riera said he was not alone in having communication problems with Benítez. "He thinks he is in charge and he just turns a deaf ear to everyone else," he told Radio Marca in Spain. "The dialogue with the players is practically non-existent. There is a lack of tact."

Asked about Benítez's credentials for Madrid, where Manuel Pellegrini is not expected to be in charge next season, Riera said: "At Madrid they ask you to win and play lovely football. We are effective, sure, but we don't play brilliant football."

Dosent sound too good does it? I expect we will hear a lot off stories come out like this when Rafa dose eventually go, we know his man management isnt the best. Riera describing Liverpool as a sinking ship dosent fill me with hope

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:05 am

See yeh Albert lad,

by **tubby** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:05 am

sake why does this have to come out right before a big game.

by **Zidane** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:21 am

I think the sinking ship part is taken out of context. At the same time though this is worrying but everyone knows this is one of Rafa's very big flaws. During tough times like this season I think it is a bit unacceptable on Rafa's part to do the exact same thing he's always done and expect the team to change their mentality or effectiveness. Anyway.. it should not have to come to this and Riera is absolutely right, but he should have manned up and confronted Rafa about this instead of venting in an interview.

by **maguskwt** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:41 am

This is very worrying and it's a shame because I like riera asa player. This happened because Rafa was giving playing time to babel. I wouldnt want to lose riera rafa should sort this out.

by **shawnk** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:41 am

One thing confirms what we thought of Rafa, dialogue between players are lacking. Same goes to Alonso when he said his relationship with Rafa is just "professional". Rafa has to understand he's not managing machines/robot where they dont have feelings. In fact, it's one of the key element in sports. And for goodness sake, at least pretend to celebrate the goal when Liverpool scored like punching the sky, show a thumb up, clap and etc just to show appreciation to the players.

by **Penguins** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:52 am

That's why I don't like Rafa as a manager. When things go bad with his plans he has no plan B. He continues to play his favourites, drops certain players and doesn't talk to them.
He makes the same substitutes at the same time almost every game not changing anything before the 70th minute and switch defenders in the 85th minute when we need a goal.
He is so damn stubborn and inflexible it isn't funny

I don't think Riera should do this stuff on the radio but this is unapproachable Rafa we are talking about and if there was little chance getting a serious one on one with Rafa I can understand Riera.

by **zirgoz** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:09 am

Go Reira Go

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