Season ratings thus far 970

Steve Finnan - 7.5 - More than OK actually. Useful at right back and a useful attacking resource to have too.

Sami Hyypia - 8 - Lack of pace more than adequately compensated by his awareness. Hope younger defenders can learn as much off him as possible.

John Arne Riise - 7 - No disagreement here. Pops up at vital moments attacking wise, but IMO Warnock is a stronger defender.

Harry Kewell - 6.5 - His recent performances would have merited a 7.5 or 8.

Steven Gerrard - 8.5 - Can't fault him for his commitment. But to nitpick, I reckon I'd prefer him to leave the 30-meter-pbuttes to the expert (Alonso). If he improves his reading and judgement then it'd be a 9 or 10 for him.

Djibril Cisse - 5 - More attitude than talent (so far). No first touch, no ball control, no awareness of team-mates in better position, no luck, rarely gets into goal scoring positions even when playing as a striker, rarely gets himself stuck in with the rest.

Luis Garcia - 7 - Genius at his game. An endless thorn in the opponents' flesh. Always probing, always antagonising. He has very good idea of what he wants to do with the ball. As such, comes up with brillant pbuttes and goals at important moments. Have to take the bad along with the good, however (I'm struggling to, that's why it's a 7 for him).

Xabi Alonso - 9 - Brillant pbutter, brilliant at reading the game, brilliant attitude (imagine Rooney receives half as much nasty tackles as he does.)

Peter Crouch - on 2nd thought, 8 (was going to give 7) - still hit and miss, but he's only been here for half a season.. Considering the amount of flak he's received at the start of the season, and nobody seemed to be interested at giving him his fair go, it's remarkable that he's still been able to work his game to this level.

Dietmar Hamann - A vital player for us but hasn't featured enough this season, hence I don't think its fair to rate him. Fernando Morientes - 5- doesn't do the business he ought to be doing.

Scott Carson - Again, haven't seen enough of him this season, but so far am still not convinced.

Momo Sissoko - 8 - Taken over Hamann well enough, I feel. Still young, and will learn (hopefully?) to round off the sharp edges of his game. But overall, a good tackler, high work-rate. If you are an opponent and holding the ball, you won't want Sissoko to be the one going after you.

Jamie Carragher - 9.5 - Setting a new standard as far as consistency and loyalty is concerned. Solid and dependable.

Florent Sinama Pongolle - haven't seen enough of him.

Pepe Reina - 7 - I agree: great clean sheets so far but still susceptible in the air

Stephen Warnock - 6.5- Of the trio of Warnock, Riise and Traore, I'd rate him highest as far as defending is concerned.

Boudewijn Zenden - Haven't seen enough of him.

Rafael Benitez - Manager - 10 - Is this the start of another glorious LFC era? I think so!!