Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

Well then its looking more likely day by day that Gerard Houlliers buys are slowly but surley departing from Liverpool F.C.
But just how many players have left since Rafa has taken over? or gone out on loan.
Baros, Diouf, Welsh, Cheyrou, Diarra, Smicer, Biscan, Henchoz, Partridge, Smyth, Wright, Vignal, Otsemobor, Kirkland, Murphy, Diao, Le tallec and Dudek is also on his way.

Thats 18 players that I can think of at the moment, theres probably more, maybe only Alou Diarra might have done well in midfield for us under Rafa, but for the rest of them they wouldnt walk into any top teams in europe.

And all the players that leave Liverpool Football club never go on to better things, Milan Baros must be kicking himself that he didnt do better for us, one minute a european champion the next getting beat by Doncaster in the Carling Cup 3-0 and at a club that plays for just enough points to keep them in the prem every season.

Now with the rumours of tantrums, dummys being spat out prams etc, Djibril Cisse since the summer transfer window an exit has looked on the cards, and Pongolle the last day of the transfer window was close to signing for Marseille, cause he was on the second flight back from Istanbul missed the parade, and didnt get a winners medal so he wanted to leave only Rafa convinced him to stay.

Now it looks like he is going to Real Betis, and Cisse looks like he's heading back to France, Riise hasnt been given a new contract.
Fat Sam wants Hamann in January but I feel its a must that we keep Didi till atleast the end of the season, our midfield general is one of our most underated players, he is one of my favourites.

I just feel Rafa is weeding most of Houlliers buys out, a new CD will come in and we will probably see less of sammi once the new arrival is here.
Im not including Gerrard and Carra in this cause they came through the ranks as did warnock.

I have to trust Rafa cause he's brought us so much success in such a short time, but I am worried if Cisse and Pongolle do leave, that it leaves us with Crouch, Morientes and Mellor if no new striker arrives.

Every new manager wants to mold his own team, and its amazing how many rubbish players we actually had on our books for such a big club, there was enough money spent to have a few world class players instead of buying 10 mediocre players, quality not quantity.

Rafa is at the helm and things are looking good people the futures bright, the futures red.

[A.B.]

I've heard that Riise[you've said that yourself I believe] has had problems off the pitch and that he had bit an attitude of the problem with one of the coaches, if thats the case then that may why he hasn't been offered a new contract.

Never the less, I think Benitez will keep Riise as he's useful[never will be a winger though]. Hamann is always linked with a move with another club at the end of every season. If he is going to leave then it will be in the summer and imo he will return to Germany.

[Ciggy]

I've heard that Riise[you've said that yourself I believe] has had problems off the pitch and that he had bit an attitude of the problem with one of the coaches, if thats the case then that may why he hasn't been offered a new contract.

Yer but Rafa gave Traore a new contract straight away so whats the deal give a contract to Traore   and not give one to Riise who is by far he better player.
Maybe he is just making him sweat now to play better and he will get a new contract soon, lets hope so anyway, Riise is a proper personality in the squad.

[115-1073096938]

Houllier released Stephen Wright, not Benitez.

[115-1073096938]

I've heard that Riise[you've said that yourself I believe] has had problems off the pitch and that he had bit an attitude of the problem with one of the coaches, if thats the case then that may why he hasn't been offered a new contract.

Never the less, I think Benitez will keep Riise as he's useful[never will be a winger though]. Hamann is always linked with a move with another club at the end of every season. If he is going to leave then it will be in the summer and personally he will return to Germany.

Massive difference in a winger and a wide midfielder.

Beckham is a wide midfielder, as is Riise, Ljungberg, Malbranque.

Robben, Duff, Giggs and Joaquin are wingers.

Riise is a very useful and left midfielder and offers balance and power down that side.

Its ideal to have a wide midfielder and a winger as proves more  defensively solid than having two out an out wingers.

[Sabre]

Good Analysis CGGY

I must say I understand Rafa.

In my very humble opinion, the world is full of good players. I could take a 22 of not top class, but decent skill players of my league, and with my little management skills I'd put those in the seventh place of the Premiership.

Most of you as well, could do the same thing, take 22 decent players of your league, and be seventh in my league.

We'd do that, because we know in each of our leagues, players that are not Gerrard or Lampard, but we do know they're competitive for one or another reason. To do this, we must know the players through watching many games.

We are supporters, but with Coaches it happens the same thing. Rafa needs to make a squad, and if something is not working (otherwise he wouldn't have been signed up) he must make a whole new squad, and specially the first season, he'd bring players of his league. As he goes knowing the league, he'll bring majorly players of the new league (Crouch for instance)  progressively. If he brings a Spaniard, it's not because he doesn't like english, but simply because so far he knows better this area.

Anyway, Riise's case worries me, as I didn't know he wasn't offered a contract. I must confess I didn't like much at the beginning of last season. But I must kneel down and beg for pardon of my sin, because he's a great player. It really surprises me that he's not offered a contract, Rafa is using him a lot!, He is a good midfielder, but if you needed a left back he'd acomplish more than ok! I hope his offered a new contract, he deserves it, IMHO.

Nice post CGGY

[JohnBull]

Riise's got private matters (Which would be solved with a smack in the mouth, but he won't) with other members of the squad. There is a monkey on his back that won't go away.

[Kid a]

and Pongolle the last day of the transfer window was close to signing for Marseille, cause he was on the second flight back from Istanbul missed the parade, and didnt get a winners medal so he wanted to leave only Rafa convinced him to stay.

Pretty interesting piece of info there. I didn't know that. Good post all around. How much time does Riise have left on his contract anyway?? Like everyone, I would be surprised if he's not offered a new one. I think he played more games than anyone last season, and played consistently well most of the time. Any team in Europe would take him to have him in their squad , I think. As back up (perhaps for top teams) or first choice left back, and as an option at left midfield. As for the Houllier signings, good riddance to those that have left so far. While they had their moments, we have a much better squad now and they needed to make room. Murphy was never a terrible player, but he needed to go. I did like Baros and was sad to see him leave (especially to a side), though. Even if he missed a fair load of chances.  Holding onto Henchoz a bit longer wouldn't of been that bad either, since we would of had decent cover at CB now. Anyway, Rafa obviously kept the players from the Houllier era that he thought were worthwhile. Didi and Sami are just getting up there in age, that's all. I don't think he doubts their quality..

[Lando_Griffin]

Let's hope he continues his policy by flogging Traore then!!!!!

[Sabre]

Riise's got private matters (Which would be solved with a smack in the mouth, but he won't) with other members of the squad. There is a monkey on his back that won't go away.

Is that a well known fact? if so, who's the monkey?

[adamnbarrett]

Riise's got private matters (Which would be solved with a smack in the mouth, but he won't) with other members of the squad. There is a monkey on his back that won't go away.

Is that a well known fact? if so, who's the monkey?

There is alot going on with riise at the moment. He was dropped from the norway squad and I think he may have split up with his wife because i read a short piece in the paper saying that he sent the same text message to about 20 norweigan supermodels asking them out. Wheter this is true or not (you know what papers are like) he has been off form recently but he definatley deserves a new contract.

[Effes]

There is alot going on with riise at the moment. He was dropped from the norway squad and I think he may have split up with his wife because i read a short piece in the paper saying that he sent the same text message to about 20 norweigan supermodels asking them out. Wheter this is true or not (you know what papers are like) he has been off form recently but he definatley deserves a new contract.[/quote]
I think Riise must be kept.
I think his best position is left midfield, he doesn't stop running all game and he can cover left back too.

Him going would be a loss.

[Paul C]

Riise's got private matters (Which would be solved with a smack in the mouth, but he won't) with other members of the squad. There is a monkey on his back that won't go away.

I honestly didn't know Riise had off the field problems 

[wrighty (not mark!)]

He didn't show it with that majestic run last wednesday!

[stmichael]

He didn't show it with that majestic run last wednesday!

the funniest thing is, if that had gone in, reina would have been credited with the assist.