Albert Riera says bad luck has destroyed Liverpool's confidence
Published 08:41 12/11/09 By David Maddock
Liverpool's Albert Riera believes that bad luck this season has destroyed confidence within the team.
But the Spanish winger last night urged his team-mates to keep their nerve and try to remain true to the values which brought them second place in the Premier League six months ago.
Riera was the victim of seemingly endless misfortune at Anfield on Monday night, when he - along with fellow winger Yossi Benayoun - picked up another hamstring injury that will keep the pair out for the next month.
Daniel Agger was also crocked in the game against Birmingham, and even though his injury is not as severe as first thought, he is still added to a list that also includes Fernando Torres, skipper Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson.
Such a stream of setbacks have left the Reds reeling, and Riera conceded yesterday that it is having an effect on the team's play, with mistakes evident that were simply not there last season.
"The mistakes are there that were not there last season. We have conceded a lot of goals from free kicks but you didn't see that last season - and we are the same players," he admitted.
"Look at the game against Birmingham. We created chances, tried to play well and controlled the game, but then they have a set piece and a long range shot and we are behind.
"Maybe one mistake and we lose confidence. But really, this is why we need to be strong now, to stay together and try to help each other through this. When you lose confidence, it takes everyone working together to bring it back."
Immediately after the game, Riera had spoken of Liverpool's problems being "mental", as the confidence drains and problems build up in the head of players.
That is why he believes free kicks are costing the club so dear - not because of the zonal marking, but because it is simply an area of weakness where confidence quickly drains away.
And the Spaniard believes there is no doubt all the bad luck that keeps coming the team's way is having a debilitating effect.
"Honestly, we are reluctant to talk about bad luck, because it's not just bad luck in football, but things have happened and they have had an effect," he said.
"We did everything right to get a win against Birmingham, but the luck goes against us, and we are thinking about mistakes.
"We are working just as hard as last year, trying to change things but it's not happening. I think that's partly because we are not used to being in this position.
"That is why we have to be calm. You can lose your confidence and believes things will always go against you, but we have to keep working, and start with the basics. We have to stop conceding from free kicks, and then we can build confidence."
Ex-Kop star Cisse: 'Liverpool don't have the strength in depth a top club needs' - full story here
