Liverpool FC Forum

by **Lando_Griffin** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:33 am

I don't think we can have Zenden and Riise in the same team. The left would be a real weak link in the side. The only way it could be a possibility is if we played 5-3-2, with Riise as a wing-back, and Zenden on the left of the midfield 3. Even then, we'd be shot to pieces by a half decent right winger. Maybe as a last resort due to injuries, etc. Sorry, but I'd pick Warnock at LB, then Traore, then Riise. I think John-Arne is brilliant, but, (as has been said), he HAS to be a wing-back.

So in answer to the initial question, I'd say Zenden has more to offer the left wing than Riise.

by **A.B.** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:19 am

Zenden for reasons already stated in this thread and others.

Though if we have Zenden as a winger, we can't have Riise as a LB because it's not going to work out.

by **A.B.** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:20 am

Like Big Mick said, it's all about opinions. On another forum there was the same exact poll, Zenden won by a land slide.

by **akumaface** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:34 am

Simply two different players and Zenden is a more natural left winger than Riise. I like Riise but it seems something is missing when he plays left wing. I don't know what it is but maybe he lacks creativity and doesn't have the flair or dribble ability to break loose from defenders. Zenden is more skillful but I guess this help create more options for Rafa to select players based on the kind of team they face.

by **woof woof !** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:55 am

I noticed in one game (Kaunas away ?) That BOTH Zenden and Riise were pushing well forward which at times left Sammi with his famous lack of pace fairly exposed .If Riise is going to play LB to Zendens LM it's vital he retains his defensive discipline.

by **Chelsea forever.** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:05 am

Risse is NOT an attacking winger.

Zenden might be old now and might have lost his pace. But he stil is, any day, a better attacking player than Risse.

Risse cannot take on defenders, all he has is a good cross.

Zenden has the ability to cut in and actually 'create' a scoring opportunity, although he might not shine in every game, he certainly will contribute over the season as long as he is in good shape.

Zenden over Risse any day.

by **woof woof !** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:13 am

[quote="Chelsea forever."]Risse is NOT an attacking winger.]

Riise is not a winger Full stop .
Last season he played as a fairly decent left mid who got forward on occasion and scored a couple of crackers. .

by **Chelsea forever.** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:58 am

Risse has nothing in his bag that can make him an attacking player. He has no attacing qualities, other than free kicks and crosses if you may!

by **The_Rock** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:59 am

Chelsea forever. wrote:Risse has nothing in his bag that can make him an attacking player. He has no attacing qualities, other than free kicks and crosses if you may! .

a chelsea supporter telling us that risse is not good enuff

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:59 am

Riise cant beat a man ?
That may be right if we are talking about skill, but through pace and power he will beat his man.
So far i have not seen Zenden beat a man through skill once.
Lets be honest neither is a throwback to the days when wingers used to beat a couple of men and get to the byline.
Zenden can put in some fantastic crosses but wont score enough goals imo.
Riise's crossing is not on the same level as Bolo's but is decent and he is better in the air than Zenden.
Quote (Chelsea forever. @ Aug. 09 2005,07:05)
Risse has nothing in his bag that can make him an attacking player. He has no attacing qualities, other than free kicks and crosses if you may! .
Dont think you remeber his volley in Cardiff then ?
I am really surprised at the lack of support for Riise in this forum and he imo would be a far bigger threat goalscoring wise and gives more to the game than Zenden.
I think at the end of the season this will be proved.
I agree though that he is NOT a good left back, i hope Warnock is given his chance in a run of games and that he can stay imjury free.

by **Ian Rush's Right foot** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:02 am

Two completly different players!

by **Chelsea forever.** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:34 am

I dont dout Risses ability as a player. Sure he is a strong lad and can take care of himself. But attacking is not his forte!

What can he do if you give him the ball on the left flank at the half way line and expect him to create an attack?

Can he trick the defender - no
Can he show any skill and run and lose his man - no
Can he poke the ball up and try to outpace his man - depends on who is marking him
Can he play a 1-2 and shell a cross in - yes

That doesnt sound too exciting.

I havent seen any of Liverpools pre-season games, so honestly I dont know how Zenden has been playing and it would be unfair for me to comment. But i do know that he has the quality and can create a goal more times than Risse can.

Chelsea Forever.

by **Fowler_E7** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:43 am

Riise is the better player for me. Sure he's less spectacular but he is always a very solid performer on the left hand side of the midfield, he has a better cross than Zenden and a better shot on him aswell. Zenden is a decent player, who will no doubt be a good squad member but i dont see him as having the required quality to ever be a first team regular at Liverpool.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 11:55 am

A very important point is being missed here.

Last season, we lost Kewell to every injury under the sun, and needed a makeshift left midfielder. Riise turned out to be better than that, but in sending him upfield we had to rely on Traore to come good at left back. Not always convincing, I'm sure we're all agreed.

This season, we have Warnock, Traore and Riise available to compete for the left back slot, and now we've got more options for left mid - Zenden, Riise and (eventually) Kewell.

Even if we've got quibbles about the quality of these players, I think we can all agree that - providing we're not hideously unlucky - we should at least have two fit and able players on the left hand side for every game this term, something we definitely couldn't say last year. There'll always be someone on the bench that is a ready-made replacement as opposed to a makeshift playing out of position. Strength in depth is precisely what we need after the ravages of last year, and we've basically sorted ourselves out on the left for the coming year by making one free transfer. Yes, Zenden's got to prove himself, but still good business, I reckon.

And - for the record - I really rate Riise on the left of midfield. Yes, he can be predictable, but he'll run at the right back all day, his attacking instincts are brilliant, and don't write him off as a free kick taker and nothing else - he'll score a reasonable amount of goals from open play. Give Zenden a chance from the start of the season by all means, but I think Rafa would be a mug to bench Riise for prolonged periods this season.

by **109-1093441336** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:31 pm

Chelsea forever. wrote:But attacking is not his forte!

What can he do if you give him the ball on the left flank at the half way line and expect him to create an attack?

Can he score goals - no

That doesnt sound too exciting.

Chelsea Forever.

League Cup final, Blue scu.m, League Cup final !

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Riise vs zenden - Who provides the bigger threat?

Riise vs zenden - Who provides the bigger threat?

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