Albert Riera became a major part of Rafa Benitez’ first team plans last season, filling the boots on the left hand side which Dutch youngster Ryan Babel simply couldn’t. So after a great game against Spain, in which the winger bagged himself a goal, questions have to be asked as to why he wasn’t even in the squad for today’s Spurs game.
Firstly, he isn’t injured. If he was it would have been reported. Secondly even if he was a bit tired after playing for the national squad it’s most likely in normal circumstances he would have at least been in the squad against Spurs as our squads been stretched thin enough with a number of major injuries.
One name comes to mind in all of this. David Silva. The Valencia winger has been linked with a number of clubs, including the reds, and it would make sense if Reira was a part of a deal which would bring the 22-year-old to Anfield to fill the gap on the left hand side and help us push for number 19.
This is merely my own theory on why he’s missing. For all we know he may have had a bad pre-season or he may just be out of favour with the manager. But the question is still there and hopefully we’ll find out soon enough, hopefully it is someone new and world-class.
M. Owen
michael@empireofthekop.com
If only my dear boy if only. You focus on not scoring for Man Ure and we’ll focus on winning the title.
Bob, that not a Nome De Plume by Michael’s real name :-)
We have our own Michael Owen here.
I love the name, at least one M. Owen has stayed loyal, I hope that theory is true, its the only one with any justification! Unless its Villa (we can dream)! We will kick on from here, one loss doesn’t end anyones season, we can lose again and still win the league. We never start well, today we came up against good opposition and the two didn’t make a nice result for us.
YNWA – IRWT (but he really should’ve started with Benny)
How do you know Riera isn’t injured? Could have picked up a knock in training or something. These things aren’t always reported quickly. Turning it into a Silva acquisition seems like a reach.
Rafa needs to start playing Babel in his natural position and drop Gerrard back in midfield.
And here you go. Ankle injury. http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
Cisnky you’re not alone in your opinion but I have seen no evidence that Ryan Babel would be any better at striker than he is at the wing. His problems seem to be very fundamental and I’m not completely convinced that a change of position would cure his ills. He can’t impose himself on the game, defenders almost always get the better of him, he has great pace but loses the ball constantly. At some point a player has to show you something and the best thing Ryan Babel has ever done in a red shirt is get hacked down by Kolo Toure against Arsenal in the champions league.
I know a lot of people like to think that Babel could be Thierry Henry if Rafa played him at striker but on present evidence all I see is potential wrapped in disappointment. The time to try out something like dropping Gerrard back and pushing Babel up was the preseason and for some reason that was never experimented with. Maybe Rafa does that though in a game coming up and Babel-Torres becomes a brilliant partnership. I don’t see it happening though I do hope I’m wrong. I was really excited when Babel came over from Ajax.
I think Rafa needs to stop playing Babel full stop. I had high hopes when he arrived, but he hasn’t done anything worth having. He has a poor attitude and a bad work ethic. He moans in the press about not getting enough playing time instead of stepping up and taking his opportunities, like today. He has frustrated and he has annoyed and he has not produced. And I’ve seen nothing to show that he would be a quality striker either. He has played that role on several occasions and proceeded to fluff sitters. He might be pacey, but that’s all he is. Move him along.
To be honest, no one was up to par today except Johnson, Insua and Yossi when he came on. Babel didn’t justify his inclusion today, neither did Masch, Kuyt and pretty much everyone else. They just didn’t perform, and that’s not to say they can’t. Although we all live in hope, forget about Silva. He ain’t coming, and Riera ain’t leaving. Blame the team for today’s result, not one or two lads. That said, am expecting a better performance in midweek.
Also just read that Riera was at Jarque’s funeral today. They were very close. So theory debunked methinks.
guys,calm down.the defeat was harsh.we were far from even good.spurs were in rythem….starting babel n keeping Yossi probably cost us.i think we cud have atleast secured a point with yossi starting
about Riera..it seems more flattering though it will be an awesome deal.I would take this rumour as feel good after the defeat….
i wanna favour Babel to some extent that he be tested with torres a couple of times and lets monitor the situation.but fact is problem with babel is more than just playing on the wing…we all know…YNWA…..