Liverpool FC Forum

by **teamleader1** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:26 pm

For me an excellent player, plays the full 90, an asset at LB-LM or even as he showed last season he can do a make shift job at CB
If a fit kewell hits leeds type form then hes an auto choice for LW so I would give Risse the LB spot, for me he has more in his armery than the excellent warnock and offers a real goal threat to opponents something that neither warnock or traori do
This season alone he has come off the bench a couple of times and lifted the tempo of the game with his surging runs- one twos and crosses
I feel that his overall play and contribution to the team warrants his place every week

by **TheoRacle** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:33 am

For mine - definately under-rated. As has been said, he's not Robben, Duff or SWP but I dont see Mourinho playing them at left back either!

Riise can do a better than average job in both positions making him a jack of all trades but master of none type player (which is a harsh way of putting it) but this only adds to his value in the team IMO. I'm sure if you asked the supporters of any other team in the league if they'd take him off our hands there's not many who'd say no.

For those games where we want to get at a team right from the off, and assuming a fully fit and performing Kewell (or a new attacking left winger) I'd certainly see Riise as a dependable defensive option. He has the ability to overlap and threaten goal - Warnock and Traore definately do not.

by **66-1112520797** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:16 am

John Arne Riise - overated or Underated ?

Neither.

by **ry_math** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:32 pm

he is underrated, he is 1 of my favourite p[layers

by ***_Ruthless_*** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:57 pm

Underated as hell man. JAR is such a good asset LB_LM he's consistantly good. I admit he struggle's against pace and skill when he's left back but overall one of our main stars.

by **neil** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:05 pm

I don't think the guy is fit enough at the moment, he appears to be carrying a few extra pounds and as a result is unable to get onto the second ball down the line behind the defence.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:02 am

He's a good option in midfield when we expect to get battered, he's third choice in defence, but he's probably one of the top wingbacks in the world. We don't use them though, so he's not much more than a go-between. Has about as much flair as a packet of cheese and onion crisps, but makes up for it in effort and power. He can cross, but only in a "t*at-it-and-see" sense.
But then, he wasn't bought as the next Barnes. He was bought as a wing-back. So he's class in the right place (wingback).
(Just as Zenden is - the bin.)

by **76-1115222408** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:26 am

Spot on Lando about the 'wing back' thing. Riise is truly a 'wing back' and one of the best in the world at it to be honest, thats why he is so in between (if you like!). His defending is often too poor (positionally) to be a full back, and he doesnt have enough skill and guile to be a out and out left 'winger', though he does well in left midfield (not winger, there is a difference!).

So probably all in all, JAR is probably unrateable (if you are being fair to him), due to him being a wing back, but not being utilised as such.

But if I had to give an answer, I would say when he is on form, underrated, seen as he does have versatilty to his game (which if we are honest, has been a bit of a downfall for him in relation to a regular first team spot!).

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:35 am

True enough. I can't help but feel that Rafa will have Kewell as first choice once he's fit again. He had too much faith in him last season to ignore him in this situation.

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John arne riise - overrated or underrated ?

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