Liverpool FC Forum

[simic_ie]

Wouldn't surprise me if Harry started. It's mean Risse could keep an eye on Cafu's runs and Harry could just pull wide into the space left behind

[Scottbot]

I think the team picks itself, although I wouldn't rule out Benitez springing a surprise.

We might see Kewell in there at the start but I doubt it.

Agree with this. Cisse for Baros or Kewell for Hamman seem to me to be the only possible surprises in the line-up.

I think Rafa will stick with Baros but i would be happy to see Cisse start.

As for Kewell - I was very surprised when he got the nod in the Carling Cup final but it's clear Rafa is a BIG fan of his. Would be a MASSIVE gamble to play him from the start considering his lack of match fitness.

[woof woof !]

In the premiership i like the Warnock / Risse combo on the left but I'm not sure if Warnock is ready for a game this big.

Again i disagree. Did you see him against Leverkusen? If anything he was one of our best players. The lad has the ability and temperament to play in any game just like Carragher.

Must admit Stu , right now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place . Normally (if it was up to me ) I'd choose Warnock any day of the week over Traore , but in fairness to the lad this is a MASSVE game and I'm not sure (not knowing him personally, like you     ) if he's ready for it .
On the one hand I'd love to see him in there ,but perhaps for the first time I'd feel as nervous about him as I usually do about Traore.

[The Canadian Red Army]

I know that risse has played RM for almost all of the season, but for this game would putting him at RB help us more?

[A.B.]

Riise played as a LB and LM.

I don't consider Riise as a winger, he should however finish playing the season as a winger as he's played at his best there this season however he can't play as a winger for another season as he's too static.

We've played with the same personal for most part of the competition so I wouldn't change much now, which includes playing Riise back as LB.

[Scottbot]

I know that risse has played RM for almost all of the season, but for this game would putting him at RB help us more?

Think you mean LM and LB CRA!

Be crazy to change it. We've got this far with Traore and Riise in tandem. There's always the option to bring on Kewell for Traore and drop Riise back to LB if its needed later in the game.

[A.B.]

I wouldn't change it now, but next season we need to find somebody else other than Riise to play on the left wing.

[115-1073096938]

Agreed, with Riise playing left back all the time.

I'm happy with Riise left back and Warnock infront of him or vice versa. Preferably Riise left back and an on form Kewell or Downing infront of him.

[The Canadian Red Army]

Riise played as a LB and LM.

I don't consider Riise as a winger, he should however finish playing the season as a winger as he's played at his best there this season however he can't play as a winger for another season as he's too static.

We've played with the same personal for most part of the competition so I wouldn't change much now, which includes playing Riise back as LB.

i appoligize for stating Risse as a RM, sorry i meant Risse at LM and LB.

[woof woof !]

I like Riise at LM . He has the lungs to burst forward into the box . Has the confidence to unleash a rocket at goal and when he's not attacking .  has the defensive nous to understand and  interchange with who ever is behind him. He has overall IMO been more effective at LM than any other player we have.

[115-1073096938]

Agreed. But he should be looking to do all that from left back with a class left winger infront of him. He effectively plays as a wing back with Traore behind him.

[woof woof !]

Agreed. But he should be looking to do all that from left back with a class left winger infront of him.

Left winger in front of him . Hmmmm ?

I think that maybe part of his succes this season is down to the fact that he is able, when going forward, to put aside defensive considerations secure in the knowledge that he has a solid LB (Warnock    ) behind him .

Like Carraghers move from RB to CD I firmly believe that Riise's move from LB to LM is bringing out the best in him .

[simic_ie]

Yeah but he isn't a top quality left winger. He'll do a job for us there no doubt but he just doesn't have that extra bit we need to improve as a team

[woof woof !]

Cake and eat it syndrome , you won't get both. I.E put Kewell or someone of his ilk at LM and although you can anticipate more attacking flair at the same time you may as well forget about any defensive contribution down the left . I'd rather not see Riise ,Warnock or Traore on their own trying to cover the left flank whilst Kewell or some other "winger" has gone walkabout.

[Scottbot]

I'd rather not see Riise ,Warnock or Traore on their own trying to cover the left flank whilst Kewell or some other "winger" has gone walkabout.

It's a valid point but to be fair to Kewell, while he struggled for any form with the ball this season. He was doing the dirty work - tackles, tracking his man, winning headers etc when he has played this season.