Liverpool Player Reviews: Week 4- Manchester United

In Focus: Albert Riera

In Focus, for the all-important Manchester United match, is brand new Spanish pretty-boy winger, Albert Riera. Acquired from Espanyol at the trading deadline, Riera was brought on board to fill the forever unsatisfying turnstile of left wingers that have played under Rafa Benitez. Although Ryan Babel is promising, his future looks to be up front, and right now he can play on the right or left, while being used as a sub and rotation player. So it is up to Riera to apply the pressure down the left wing, and Saturday was, hopefully, a sign of good things to come.

The match started out slow for Riera, who seemed hesitant on the ball and in getting into the action. He had a quiet first quarter of the game, as most of the Reds players did. He also got into the box with the ball early on, but seemed to go to ground much to easily, something he will learn is not tolerated as much in England, especially by the opposing players. As the match wore on, Albert started to get his feet under him and prove his worth.

The Spaniard is very smooth and effortless on the ball. He controls it well and is efficient in his dribbling, seeming to slide by defenders with great control, rather than pace or an abundance of step-overs. He displayed this side of his game on Saturday. More than once he broke down Rooney or Wes Brown or both on the left, getting into the middle or down the wing with control.

His service into the box was skilled as well, was Keane wasting a ball and Patrice Evra coming back to save another. He forced a corner at the start of the second half, and was a big part of the Liverpool attack until he came off for Ryan Babel in the 72nd minute.

His control and ability to exert pressure down the left was one of the deciding factors in momentum swinging to Liverpool. He and Fabio Aurelio controlled the ball down the left, forcing Wayne Rooney to put his own attacking to side and concentrate on getting back to help Wes Brown. If Aurelio and Riera can continue to play this way, Benitez may have little choice in who occupies the left side.

We will have to see much more from Riera to form a true opinion, but it hard to go against him after a long awaited win against Sir-guson and Man U.

Grade: B


Player Grades:
Pepe Reina- B
Had no shot at stopping the Tevez blast at the start of the game, but was solid outside of that. Liverpool's solid play in front of him caused a lack of work for the Spaniard, but he was intelligent with the ball and made a nice tip over save on Giggs' shot.

Alvaro Arbeloa- C
Arbeloa was serviceable on defense, although he was tested little throughout. Had no effect going forward, and didn't factor much in the game, which probably was a good thing for Liverpool.

Jamie Carragher- A-
Maybe he could have stayed with Berbatov for the first goal, and prevented the pass, but that's nitpicking. Played rock solid the rest of the way, leading the backline and denying any opportunities for Berba, Tevez, or Rooney.

Martin Skrtel- B+
Again, the first goal, he and Arbeloa both took one man and left Tevez alone for the goal. He was frantic early, as usual, but once he settled down, he and Carragher had it on lock-down. Came forward a couple of times, firing one shot directly on to Van der Sar, forcing a save.

Fabio Aurelio- A-
Once again, the first goal, Berbatov beat him as well. But his last 70 minutes were fantastic football. He alternated runs and crosses on the left with Reira, and his ball control and pressure shut down Wayne Rooney on the right, forcing Man U's right to sit back. Justified Rafa's choice of him over Dossena.

Yossi Benayoun- C+
Did not have a great impact on the game. Had some good run ins, on and off the ball, but was never able to connect. His passing was not up with to the level of great play of the rest of the Liverpool midfield, and he was eventually subbed off for Gerrard.

Xabi Alonso- B+
Was masterful in the final two-thirds of the game. His deflected shot ended up in the net with the help of Wes Brown and Van der Sar. Along with Mascherano in the midfield, he controlled possession and the pace of the game. Liverpool's pressure started in the midfield, and rarely broke down early. Went for it and missed on a couple of shots and passes, but that just comes with Xabi's game.

Javier Mascherano- A-
Let Tevez go on the first goal, who, yes should he have been picked up by Skrtel or Arbeloa, but still the blame has to start with Mascher. However, the rest of the game, Javi was once again the best player on the pitch. Great coming forward and controlling the midfield with his passing and tackling. So much energy, running around on the pitch, and he gets a great of number of his tackles right. Made the second goal happen with a run, winning the ball and passing to Kuyt. Came off with an injury at the end......NOOOOOO! Eh, he should be fine.

Dirk Kuyt- B
Okay, Dirk the Worker did a lot, coming back and helping Liverpool put pressure on. Blue Collar Dirk did assist on the second goal, setting up Babel. Dirk the Dutch Grinder also had a couple of long shots go miss high and wide. But while he won every ball, he still doesn't belong up top with Keane, Torres, or anyone else. I begrudgingly give him his due, he was a big part of the win.

Robbie Keane- C-
Once again, hardly anything from Robbie Keane. He did occupy Vidic and Ferdinand up front. This allowed room for the midfielders, but that was it, save for one instance in which he broke free and was taken down by Vidic, perhaps warranting a red card, which did come, in the form of a yellow one, and some further stupidity by Nemanja at the end of the match. Missed a couple of chances with crosses and wasted a couple of good passes.

Subs:
Steven Gerrard- B
Coming off the injury, was good in the midfield, adding to the pressure and possession that Liverpool was getting. Not 100%, but may get the start in Marseille.

Ryan Babel- B+
Came on late and scored the game winner, with a competent strike. Really hard to understand why he wasn't subbed in the Aston Villa game and this just highlighted Rafa's mistake.

Sami Hyypia- B
Came on in the dying moments as a precaution for the backline with the Mascher injury. Man U didn't score, so hey, good job Sami.