The Talented Mr Riise

[saj]

I think you are being very unkind on Riise - he's been a component of some seriously mean defences - firstly the Riise, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher vintage and also this current one.

If he only had stamina and a rocket of a left foot in his locker, he'd have been found out at this level long ago.

Absolutely and completely spot on - Riise is a fantastic player and if we had a better Left winger that would support him and vice versa, we would never be questioning his ability. You can't expect him to defend and attack constantly in a match unless we play a wing-back system.

[jonesie]

Yes he's not the best, but he's not the worst either.

Strangely, if you talk to fans of other teams they'll rave about him while it seems we always seem a bit sceptical. He's the best left back at the club though.

He deserves credit for playing a part in some of our greatest recent successes. I'd definately keep him on for a few more years.

Good read mate, but I doubt you'll change the opinions of some people on here...

[Shaggy]

i agree. since he has been at Liverpool our defensive record has been amazing. he has just been caught out in one on one situations sometimes in the past which makes people overlook the bigger picture. If he was such a bad defender our record wouldnt be as good. the defence is only as good as its weakest link.
He has had set-backs in the past and has come back into the first team each time.
If everyone in the squad had the same positive, determined, hard working attitude as Riise then we'd be a much better team. And i think he is a very capable footballer who always passes and moves.
iv always felt the criticism has been unjust

Congratulations to Riise on reaching 200 appearances.

Passes and moves? Come on. More like shoots or hoofs.

He's an okay defender. Gets done far too easily in one-on-one situations. He's so weak on his right side that anyone with any nous just has to shift him on to that side. He also gets caught out of position a lot - something that clearly irritates the **** out of Benitez. You sense he's not the brightest. The positives are that he's committed, strong and covers loads of ground.

My big gripe with him is when he has the ball at his feet. Cumbersome and oafish, he's our biggest sinner when it comes to hoofing aimless punts upfield.

[anfieldanfield]

Riise is an average footballer who has incredible stamina levels and has a cannon for a left foot................end of

Yet Julio Baptista is on your 'wish list'....

[Marky]

Yeah good post rhys.

I'm a big fan of Riise as you all know.
He has the odd stinker here and there but in the main he's a very consistent, reliable pro who works his bollox off for the full 90.

Always makes a valuable contribution both at left back and left midfield, he isn't the most skillful of players but he knows his limitations and i honestly don't think they're are many beter left sided players better than our ginger.

A massively valuable member of the squad, for sure.

[REDSCOUSER]

Riise is an average footballer who has incredible stamina levels and has a cannon for a left foot.that hits row Z 9 times out of 10...............end of

never a better word spoken

[knockers]

Nice to see Riise getting some credit (especially on this site) I think he's been a great player for us and is still relatively young so should be able to offer even more as he's hitting his prime. His goal against Chelsea in the community shield was top draw (who says he can't dribble!), his goal against Barca was also well taken (on his right foot). More please Riise you're a legend IMO.

Shame about the ginger hair and his attempts at pulling various models.

[Sir Bob]

The trouble with Riise is that he's not good enough defensively to be a top class full back & not good enough going forward to play left midfield.

Defensively he's been fortunate to play alongside Carra/Henchoz/Sami. We've been sound defensively inspite of JAR not because of him. Going forward he has a rocket of a shot but is a poor passe of the ball.

In my book, Riise is a pretty good wing back, but not left back. He needs others around him defensively to cover his lapses. Going forward he's limited at the top level and his passing is very poor. all in all then not good enough to play LB in a championship winning team.

[Shaggy]

The trouble with Riise is that he's not good enough defensively to be a top class full back & not good enough going forward to play left midfield.

Defensively he's been fortunate to play alongside Carra/Henchoz/Sami. We've been sound defensively inspite of JAR not because of him. Going forward he has a rocket of a shot but is a poor passe of the ball.

In my book, Riise is a pretty good wing back, but not left back. He needs others around him defensively to cover his lapses. Going forward he's limited at the top level and his passing is very poor. all in all then not good enough to play LB in a championship winning team.

No offence, Johnny...if you're reading.

[keniget]

I like Riise. He's not top class, no, but he's definitely not as average as some people are making out.

Despite the fact that he's not a very good defender, he's been part of one of the best defences in Europe in the past couple of years. Also, despite the fact that he's not very good offensively, he's probably done better than anyone bar Gerrard when called upon to play on the wing in recent times.

If we get two brilliant players for LB and LM, great, I'd relegate him to "valuable squad player" status, but regardless, I'd be quite happy to see him end his career here.

[AFII]

Rafa played a player that never played left back before against Barca, not Riise.

I think that says a lot.

[Shaggy]

Despite the fact that he's not a very good defender, he's been part of one of the best defences in Europe in the past couple of years. Also, despite the fact that he's not very good offensively, he's probably done better than anyone bar Gerrard when called upon to play on the wing in recent times.

While I agree with this, I think the first part of that is a huge testament to the other four in our back five, and the latter part is a slightly damning indictment on the standard our wingers of the last few years.

[keniget]

Heh, oh most definitely. I'm just trying to point out whilst he's never going to be world class, he's a good Premiership player and as far as squad players go, he'd be brilliant.

[Shaggy]

Heh, oh most definitely. I'm just trying to point out whilst he's never going to be world class, he's a good Premiership player and as far as squad players go, he'd be brilliant.

I agree with that entirely.

[Red_Polo]

Rafa played a player that never played left back before against Barca, not Riise.

I think that says a lot.

It coudl tell you a lot of different things though. Like how good Arbeloa is, how much confidence Rafa had in our other LMs etc. Riise still started both games let's not forget.