JAR - have we had a better left back?

[Guest]

When he's on song, he's a good player but still annoys me with his crossing and his hoofing of the ball. Still a LFC legend though.

[Marky]

See the thing about Riise is even hen he's not having his best game, not looking on form ie first half tonight, he still seems to produce moments of magic out of nowhere which have you WOOing for a couple of minutes.

[Rich]

that was a difficult chance tonight - and as soon as it came to him, you knew it was in.

He's the only player on the pitch that could have made that shot on his left like that - even Gerrard wouldn't have tried it.

[Red_Al_77]

There are far better left backs around. Riise is prospering these days on the LW and maybe that's where his future lies. His defending isn't the greatest but I can understand his dip in form due to the debt problems. Excellent strike as always.

[Shaggy]

I'm not his biggest fan but he's a great squad member and it was another dream strike tonight.

[lfc4ever]

There are far better left backs around. Riise is prospering these days on the LW and maybe that's where his future lies. His defending isn't the greatest but I can understand his dip in form due to the debt problems. Excellent strike as always.

I wonder if he's working his bollox off for another contract with us?? Or football may be his way of taking his mind off other matters.

[Red_Al_77]

I wonder if he's working his bollox off for another contract with us?? Or football may be his way of taking his mind off other matters.

It would certainly have played on his mind in the early stages but I'd agree football is likely to be a release for him now that the situation is out in the open.

[Bob]

I disagree. IMO a left back should have positional sense but doesnt have to be a great tackler if he can hold up the play and prevent crosses coming in. He has shown over the last few seasons that he can link up well with whoever he plays with, whether that is Kewell, Aurelio or Gonzalez.

Who would you have in his place out of interest?

Christ. Philip Lahm would be a marked (excuse the pun) improvement.

[mick the click]

He's ****.

I beg to differ.

[Bob]

It would certainly have played on his mind in the early stages but I'd agree football is likely to be a release for him now that the situation is out in the open.

There has been spells this season were he has been truly terrible. He is much better than he has been this season though.

As someone pointed out, he's part of a mean defense, and make no mistake he has played a significant part in that. Ask Hyypia what its like when he's playing with another LB... his game goes to pot positionally.

I hope Riise's form is one the up.

That goal will give him a world of confidence.

[fowlen]

There has been spells this season were he has been truly terrible. He is much better than he has been this season though.

As someone pointed out, he's part of a mean defense, and make no mistake he has played a significant part in that. Ask Hyypia what its like when he's playing with another LB... his game goes to pot positionally.

I hope Riise's form is one the up.

That goal will give him a world of confidence.

But Lahm is not really a left back....he barely has a left foot and is played at LB sometimes in order to bring a more attacking style for both club and country.

[Mr Tourette]

i couldnt agree more, i dont see why his defending is continually criticised when he is part of one of the meanset defnces in Europe, and as i said before he has a left foot like a traction engine and will outscore gonzalez and pennant consistently IMO.

I still can't get over some of the slating he gets - he's a regular in one of the meanest defences we've had for years - and he's a superb goal threat.

I can't think of one LB I'd choose over him to be honest.

Grosso and Zambrotta would be good - but I'd still have Riise in there.

[Bob]

But Lahm is not really a left back....he barely has a left foot and is played at LB sometimes in order to bring a more attacking style for both club and country.

He's very effective however. I can see Riise playing both LB and LM as he has been doing this season.

[Fiddy]

There has been spells this season were he has been truly terrible. He is much better than he has been this season though.

As someone pointed out, he's part of a mean defense, and make no mistake he has played a significant part in that. Ask Hyypia what its like when he's playing with another LB... his game goes to pot positionally.

I hope Riise's form is one the up.

That goal will give him a world of confidence.

He started the season on fire, and was actually doing some defending...then he went **** for a bit, and now he seems back on form. He does regularly make me want to tear my hair out though when he spoons about...there's numerous examples of retards being clever footballers (ie Joe Cole), but JAR seems to be a bit of a spanner both on and off the pitch. In full flow and with a sight on goal however, with that left foot wound up, there's few better sights in football.

Say what you like about JAR, but he's always been better than Roberto Carlos, who I'm sure many on here would much rather have had, at least until recently anyway.

I always liked Stan myself

[anfieldanfield]

Left back, left mid, on the bench...

It doesn't matter, he's a crucial member of our squad and he's staying.