Liverpool FC Forum

by **A.B.** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:32 pm

Riise has been disappointing this season. His form has not picked up at all like I thought it would.

by **nifan82** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:37 pm

I think JAR is in need of a rest. To me he looked tired against Arsenal, and defo. short of confidence! Give Aurelio and few games in the side to see how he gets on!!

by **A.B.** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:38 pm

nifan82 wrote:I think JAR is in need of a rest. To me he looked tired against Arsenal, and defo. short of confidence! Give Aurelio and few games in the side to see how he gets on!!

Tired? What does he have to be tired off? He's been dire for most of the season. If he's tired then what are the players who went to the World Cup? :no

by **A.B.** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:43 pm

Benitez has issued a warning to Riise

Benitez issues Riise warning
by Neil Johnston
January 8, 2007

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - John Arne Riise has been warned his place is under threat ahead of Liverpool's re-arranged Carling Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday.

The two sides meet for the second time in three days with the left-sided Norwegian international under pressure following his nightmare performance as holders Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 home defeat to Arsene Wenger's side on Saturday.

Riise was blamed for at least one of Arsenal's three goals and failed to finish the tie as he was replaced by Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio.

Although Liverpool are in the last 16 of the Champions League, the Carling Cup represents the club's best chance of securing any silverware this season with a two-legged semi-final with Tottenham awaiting the winners.

And manager Rafa Benitez has made it clear he is expecting a response from his players, and Riise in particular, with Liverpool, 14 points adrift of Premiership leaders Manchester United, fighting to save their season.

"If Riise continues working hard, that's ok," said Benitez.

"Maybe it was a mistake for the first goal and then maybe he lost his concentration.

"As for the substitution, I was thinking of Fabio as a player with quality. His crossing is really good and we needed to attack and to have more quality."

Liverpool are looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat at the hands of Arsenal and Benitez knows the key to victory lies with containing the London club's formidable strikeforce of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.

French international Henry scored Arsenal's third goal on Saturday to kill the tie after Dirk Kuyt had given the hosts hope of a fightback following a disastrous first-half in which Liverpool trailed to two Tomas Rosicky goals.

"The difference on Saturday was van Persie and Henry," said Benitez.

"We know the strengths of Arsenal and we know their weaknesses.

"For 35 minutes I think we were controlling the game and controlling the things that we know they can do really well.

"But the strengths of this team is the quality of the strikers and if you make a mistake, they will punish you."

With a Premiership blockbuster against Manchester United fast approaching on January 20, Wenger is likely to rest several key players for his side's second trip to Merseyside in quick succession.

This tie should have been played last month but was called off due to fog.

Henry, delighted to have scored his second goal in two games since returning from injury, is in no mood to rest. He is eager to make up for lost time and wants another stab at Liverpool having moved a step closer to achieving his dream of playing in his first FA Cup final at Wembley.

"Our goal is to win the FA Cup," said Henry. "I've been at Arsenal a very long time and never played in an FA Cup Final at Wembley. We've played in a lot of finals over the years, but never there.

"It would be pretty special to be the first captain to lift the cup at the new-look Wembley, but there are a lot of skippers out there who want to do that. We'll have to keep our feet on the ground.

"The only other goal I have scored at Anfield was a penalty, a long time ago when we won the double. I've played a lot here over the years and to score a goal like that on Saturday was special."

by **El Nino_#9** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:16 pm

different player when his played in his proper position at left mid.

by **andy_g** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:33 pm

to be honest i didn't think he was that good yesterday. of course he hit the kind of ooutstanding shot that we expect from him now and again and if it had gone in would've been a goal of the season contender. he had a few more attempts as well and was clearly hungry for a goal. all good so far. the thing that lets him down though is his clear lack of ideas when we are building an attack. we find ourselves in the situation a lot when we are attacking that he is the one in the position and the time to make the killer pass and he plainly can't decide what to do with it. he still believes he can beat a man by knocking the ball past them and then running as fats as he can - which is not that fast. if not he lumps a hopeful cross into the box.

i'd keep him in the squad, but for my money if aurelio keeps improving and kewell comes back and can hit form then that's my preferred left side.

by **murphy0151** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:28 pm

Rissse played well yesterday, not outstanding but much, much, better than previous performances.

You say Riise plays better in left mid, why? Do you want a left mid who cant beat a man? A left mid who cant cross a ball? Riise has got a good shot yes but nine times out of ten even his shots end up in the crowd. For me he is a left back who quite simply is only good enough to be a squad player.

Aurelio yesterday worked well with Riise both on the left flank swapping positions. I thought it was out of him and Kuyt for man of the match yesterday. Much improved by both players I hope they both continue to improve over the final period of the season.

by **Elchris** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:37 pm

riise shots are beautifull....i think he likes to attack more he's much suited as a left wing back...he and aurellio can really from a good partnership at the left side because the have a balance.....both can defend both can attack...one has a powerful shot the other could wipe in dangerous crosses in

by **joko** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:47 pm

you always need a player with shooting ability like riise
i'd be surprised if ten out of ten of his cannon ball toward the net in the end of the season shoots result nothing

by **RedBlood** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:00 pm

i loe riise for all the joy his wonderful goals have given us, but fact is you take out the cannon an all you left with is swizterland

by **stmichael** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:43 pm

He had an excellent day yesterday imo, one of his best in long long time. Yes I know he has his limitations, he can't dribble for one. However he was up and down the left flank all day, used the ball well, created problems for Chelsea and defended well.

by **oakton** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:48 am

He has probably gained some weight in the last year or two, this guy is a lot slower and cannot do sharp turns.

by **Effes** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:12 am

murphy0151 wrote:You say Riise plays better in left mid, why? Do you want a left mid who cant beat a man? A left mid who cant cross a ball? Riise has got a good shot yes but nine times out of ten even his shots end up in the crowd. For me he is a left back who quite simply is only good enough to be a squad player.

I can only speak for myself; but, I say he's better left mid because simply if I had to play him I'd play him there as he can be a goal threat rather than a fragile full back.
Plus, he can provide cover.

by **MASTER** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:00 pm

He is a good bet to score in home games because he seems more relaxed, similar to Crouch but in away games we need a tough tackling defensive Left Back.

Someone like Heinze would be good but SAF wouldn't let near Rafa to discuss a transfer, plus the Kop would slaughter him if he made any mistakes early on.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:41 pm

Bottom line, he's having a poor season, but you'd struggle to find anyone you'd want for the position for the money we've got available.

For now injuries may well keep him in the side, but I think long term he and Aurelio will be good competition for one another. Let's not forget that his performance at the weekend was against the Prem champions. Not many left backs come out of games against Chelsea with their heads up.

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