RIISE Reveals Goal Drought Secret

[Slinky Skills]

I think the same, once Riise scores I can see another 4 or 5 flying in but the pressure of that firdt goal in over a year is clearly playing heavy on his mind to the point where he is shooting from any where he gets the ball!

I have a feeling he was once described as the Norwegien Roberto Carlos (I also have a feeling it was Houllier!)

The same thing will happen with Kuyt too I reckon, one goal and a load will come.

[Lee]

People have to remember whilst Riise isn't a fantastic defender, he has been one quarter of the Leagues best defence over the last seven years.

I'd like him to stay... he may not be a Sami or a Didi in footballing terms - but he's certainly one of us and more steady than people give him credit for

[Nicey]

Was at the Luton game the other night and heard a lot of people slagging the lad big time.

Now I don't know whether this is a bit of a Kopout or whether Rafa has instructed him to sit back a bit but it would maybe explain why some people still think he's wearing his spoon shaped xmas slippers every time he plays lately.







From the Offal.

The usually prolific full-back has yet to find the net this season, something he puts down to a change in emphasis on the training ground.
Riise, who has scored 31 goals in his time at Anfield, has been told to focus first and foremost on his defending.

"I think I put all the pressure on myself because this is my seventh season.

"People are expecting me to score some cracking goals but this year I am focusing on my defending and I want to do the best as a defender.

"I know I am now 90 per cent a defender but then if I score, happy days.

"I want to be a good defender and I am working on it on the training pitch. I am trying to improve and the manager tells me to focus more on the defence.

"I am just trying to show the fans and the manager I am a good defender. I am a left back and I want to defend well for my side."

Riise admits he hasn't always hit the peaks of previous campaigns this term.

The 27-year-old knows this inevitably leads to transfer rumours but is adamant he sees his future at Anfield.

"It has been a weird season for me, I have played some good games and then some not at my level," he said.

"When we get to the transfer window all the rumours start going around. It is mainly because people know I have one-and-a-half years left on my contract.

"The fans know that I am very happy here. Hopefully the club will give me a new contract so that I can stay in Liverpool for many years.

"I am in the mood to play my best football and enjoy playing. I will do my best in the second part of the season."


Has he improved as a defender then?

Exactomondo... never understand why this lad gets the stick he does from some people. Always happy to see him on the team sheet and is a player who can influence a game

[Johnny]

Exactomondo... never understand why this lad gets the stick he does from some people. Always happy to see him on the team sheet and is a player who can influence a game

[Marky]

The Riise critics baffle me they really do.
Are people forgetting he's played a big part in winning us the Carling Cup, Champions League and FA Cup over the last 6 or 7 years, put in some very consistent and steady performances along the way not to mention key goals and key assists
Ok, he has been a bit **** this season but he'll come good. He's not the problem.
Get off his back ffs.

[Fiddy]

Riise is a classic wing back, that's the main problem

[NICKZS]

The Riise critics baffle me they really do.
Are people forgetting he's played a big part in winning us the Carling Cup, Champions League and FA Cup over the last 6 or 7 years, put in some very consistent and steady performances along the way not to mention key goals and key assists
Ok, he has been a bit **** this season but he'll come good. He's not the problem.
Get off his back ffs.

I don't think anybody is debating his worth to us in the past, but you can't honestly say that Riise is good enough for us at the minute. He has scored some fantastic goals, but now that that seems to have dried up, what does he offer?

His passing is poor, he isn't a great dribbler, his crossing of the ball leaves much to be desired and his decision making has been appalling at times this season. I have been a huge fan of Riise since he arrived, and perhaps the (warranted) inconsistency of his selection in the team has had a negative effect on him, but when you look at the kind of penetration you get with the likes of Evra and Clichy (who, by the way, is a fantastic player), Riise looks decidely sub-standard.

[Neil Young]

I've become increasingly frustrated by Riise's play this season. He frequently makes the wrong decision whether in attack or defence. For instance in the first game against Luton he needed to put the ball out for a corner but that would have required him to use his head or, horrors, his right foot. He was unlucky the ball went into the net but it was his one-footedness that led him to make the wrong decision.

Alternatively I've been influenced by all the negative comments he's been getting so now I notice his mistakes far more than I used to because they confirm my (received) opinion on him and I fail to pick up on the good things he does because they don't fit with my expectations.

[JPK]

Riise has been a loyal servant but his days are numbered here.His technical ability has gone backwards and he lacks urgency in his game.He has not got the pace or trickery to get by a man so just shoots or crosses everytime he gets it.He is all left foot too and is easy for a defender to read.

The secret why Riise's form is bad is that he has put on weight,he believes he has made it and the fact that Rafa plays him so much makes him think he is indespensible.
He is in a comfort zone and is in for a land when he gets told he can leave.

I used to like him when he joined and he was all action then,but I cant stand watching the lad now.He is annoying and does not deserve to wear the shirt currently.

[Shaggy]

Has he improved as a defender then?

Has he ****.

I like JAR. He's provided some moments of real joy for us, and he seems a popular member of the squad.

However, he's not good enough. A top level footballer should absolutely NOT be so horrendously one-footed. It costs him (and us) time and time again by just plainly refusing to use his right foot.

I could go on, but I won't.

[Shaggy]

I've become increasingly frustrated by Riise's play this season. He frequently makes the wrong decision whether in attack or defence. For instance in the first game against Luton he needed to put the ball out for a corner but that would have required him to use his head or, horrors, his right foot. He was unlucky the ball went into the net but it was his one-footedness that led him to make the wrong decision.

Alternatively I've been influenced by all the negative comments he's been getting so now I notice his mistakes far more than I used to because they confirm my (received) opinion on him and I fail to pick up on the good things he does because they don't fit with my expectations.

I think you fail to pick up on the good things because, unless he's screaming one in from 30 yards, he doesn't do any good things.

[Shaggy]

I don't think anybody is debating his worth to us in the past, but you can't honestly say that Riise is good enough for us at the minute. He has scored some fantastic goals, but now that that seems to have dried up, what does he offer?

His passing is poor, he isn't a great dribbler, his crossing of the ball leaves much to be desired and his decision making has been appalling at times this season. I have been a huge fan of Riise since he arrived, and perhaps the (warranted) inconsistency of his selection in the team has had a negative effect on him, but when you look at the kind of penetration you get with the likes of Evra and Clichy (who, by the way, is a fantastic player), Riise looks decidely sub-standard.

Clichy, IMO, has become the best left-back in the division. A seamless transition from Ashley Cole to Clichy - at first I didn't even notice (testament to Clichy), but now I really do notice.........because he's better than Cole.

[dom9]

I just wish he stop shooting from 40 yards out when he has 10 players in front of him. His desperation for a goal is embarassing. Keep it simple, then you might get a bit more respect.

[Robster007]

I've said it before but I think Riise has been one of the people that has suffered the most from Rafa's Rotation since the end of 2005-2006. We've had a ridiculous number of combinations down that flank and it's no surprise that his game has suffered because of this.

Change the record mate.

[tomasjj]

Change the record mate.

It's now Rafa's fault that Riise is an average player.


Riise was always average.