Riera says Liverpool woes down to mental problems

Liverpool winger Albert Riera admits his side must cure the psychological problems caused by their woeful run before they can get back on track.

Rafa Benitez’s team are in turmoil after winning only once in the last nine games – a dismal spell that has all but ended their Premier League title hopes and left them in danger of elimination from the Champions League.

The latest setback came on Monday when the Reds needed a controversial penalty won by David Ngog and converted by Steven Gerrard to rescue a 2-2 draw against Birmingham.

Spanish star Riera, who is set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury against Birmingham, believes the squad is struggling to shake off a mental block.

“In games like the one against Birmingham you could see we were trying to do everything,” Reira said.

“We played wide, between the lines, always going forward and only defending with two centre-backs. We were really unlucky, because they had one free-kick and one shot from a long way out.

“We are trying to play like we have always done but you can see it is not working. We have been really unlucky this year, because of all the injuries and because we have conceded a lot of goals from set-pieces.

“You did not see that last year and we are the same players, working in the same way.

“Now our problem could be mental because we are being untidy, as much as I do not like to say that.

“We have plenty of possession, plenty of opportunities, and while it is clear we have to manage conceding goals from free-kicks, we should be winning games like the Birmingham match.”