Liverpool FC Forum

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:09 pm**

He has been rarely discussed in this forum, even less frequent than those whose performances and contribution are not as much as his.

John Arne Riise

Although originally used more frequently at left back the Norwiegan was pushed into midfield and began to form a good partnership with French full back Gregory Vignal. In his debut season Riise quickly settled and his first goal for the Reds couldn't have been more dramatic, as he scored the first in a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich to help Liverpool win the Super Cup at his old ground in Monaco and was soon followed up with stunning goals in wins over Newcastle and in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Another highlight was his the powerful free kick from 30 yards against Man United which left Fabien Barthez grounded in the 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield in November which left the Kop asking 'How did he score that goal!' Riise also won an award back home in his native Norway when he was named 'Athlete of the Year 2001'. Riise scored eight goals in his first season at Anfield, including two terrific strikes on the last day of the season 5-0 win over Ipswich at Anfield.

Date of birth: 24 Sep 80
Birth Place: Molde
Nationality: Norwegian
Position: Left defence/midfield
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 77.00kg
Fee: £ 4.6m
Previous Clubs: Aalesund, Monaco
Squad Number: 18

goal/game

LIVERPOOL
League 13/103
European/Others 1/32

INTERNATIONAL 3/30

MONACO
League 4/43
European/Others 1/6

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:20 pm**

I reckon we should keep him. Wot happend to him last season anyway!? I used to sing his praises but I only saw him about twice last season. Reckon hez a brilliant player all the same tho.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:26 pm**

keep. another player who suffered a dip in confidence under houllier by constantly being in and out the team. he's the best left back we have at the club.

under benitez lets hope he can get back to the form he showed two seasons ago, when he was brilliant. click on his video clip on the lfc website to see him at his peak. he was popping up in the penalty area from left back.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:36 pm**

Riise is a brilliant player watch him go this season bombing up down the line with kewell.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:43 pm**

Of course we keep him ......... duh

.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:54 pm**

Riise is a good player, wen he came back from injury last yr he was one of our best players!

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:06 pm**

Riise is quality and have to agree with stmichael that his confidence was battered by GH. Hopefully we shall see the best of him again under Benitez and a few more of them goals that ripped the net.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:10 pm**

I agree, apart from Sammi he's the only other "defender" who can pop up and score

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:11 pm**

definitely good player..he will blossom under Benitez..

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:15 pm**

That free-kick against the mancs always gets the rewind. Even Tyler and Gray couldnt believe what they had witnessed. The shouts of "oh my goodness" & " well im suprised the goals still standing". Probably the best free-kick i have ever witnessed at Anfield.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:16 pm**

he got criticised a lot last season for just lumping the ball forward at times. i don't think that was necessarily his fault, i think it was team instructions from houllier. all in all you won't find a better left foot in the premiership.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:13 pm**

one of my favourite players. we must keep him. shot like a bullet and he'll provide cover for finnan d carra not to mention push them for their places

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:23 pm**

Riise good, Houllier bad. Nuff' said.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:35 pm**

He is a quality player. Under no circumstances should we sell him.

So he had a bad season. A lot of players did. I think a few of the players will show some real form next season now we have a new manager with new tactics and hopefully better man management skills.

I'm convinced Riise will reap the benefit. We've all seen what he can do, this might be his year again like the way 2002 was.

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:32 pm**

Riise is a class act as we saw in his 1st season.

His confidence was shot to pieces after being dropped in place of that stick traore.

He is the best left back by a mile and anyone suggesting Carragher playing there is madness as he is not a left back.

Riise and Kewell could form a great partnership and Benitez likes his full backs to get forward which will suit Riise down to the ground.

Liverpool FC Forum

John Arne Riise - Should we keep him?

John Arne Riise - Should we keep him?