Left Back

[Flight]

Riise played pretty well yesterday, but he still struggles defensively when quality opposition target him.

 

The thing that worried me yesterday, was his positioning - he was as bad as SW. We were very lucky with the offsides, every single time he was a yard behind the perfect straight line of Finnan, Carra and Hyypia.

 

So well done overall JAR, but I think Rafa will be having a word.

[Andythered]

I didnt think his positioning was that bad. Will look again. Good powerful free kick though.

[Guest Les Howard]

Riise played pretty well yesterday, but he still struggles defensively when quality opposition target him.

 

The thing that worried me yesterday, was his positioning - he was as bad as SW. We were very lucky with the offsides, every single time he was a yard behind the perfect straight line of Finnan, Carra and Hyypia.

 

So well done overall JAR, but I think Rafa will be having a word.

 

To be honest I think he's been excellent this year. There was a time when he couldn't play left back as he was more suited to wing back but not any more.

Notice how many times he covers the centre-halves by coming into the middle when the ball comes in from the right. I think his positioning has improved dramatically and yesterday his performance may have dipped (not that I noticed though as I thought he was solid enough).

[growler]

probably because he is playing there consistantly now, and not in midfield.

[dorgie]

I think Riise is playing very well at LB this season.

 

To be fair, the best full backs in the world get caught out of position. Often, it is impossible for a full back to see what is happening with the other 3, because if the ball is on his side of the pitch, then he won't see what is happening behind him and he'll have a split second to decide whether to push up [ and hope & pray the other 3 are also ], or to drop and follow the ball/attacker.

[SouthAfricaRed]

We've conceeded 1 goal in 22hrs of Football with the back 5 being Reina/Finnan/Carra/Sami/Riise. That goal being Rio's goal away at OT. So I guess JAR is doing an OK job at LB

Edited February 19, 2006 by SouthAfricaRed

[Mike]

its not about his individual performance, just as football isn't about individual performances. its about how the whole defence is better with that back 5.

every time rafa has changed it around we've conceded or drawn or lost games when we shouldn't have...its one of the very few criticisms i have of rafa and im surprised its a mistake he still makes.

[SouthAfricaRed]

its not about his individual performance, just as football isn't about individual performances. its about how the whole defence is better with that back 5.

every time rafa has changed it around we've conceded or drawn or lost games when we shouldn't have...its one of the very few criticisms i have of rafa and im surprised its a mistake he still makes.

 

Problem is with all the games we are playing, it's difficult to keep the team the same game after game.

 

Biggest difference when JAR plays LB is that Sami plays better. Warnock is caught out of position too often and exposes Sami's lack of pace.

[nrkintheuk]

I think he's done pretty well this season and he'd definitely be my first choice for LB. Its a position we can still improve but not easily and I've a feeling it'd cost a lot of money. The one criticism I have is that he still hoofs too many clearances, and I think its cos he still can't kick the ball with his right foot so he gets shut rather than take any risks

 

I can't see how somebody who is paid to play football can't even make a simple 10 yard pass with their weaker foot.

 

Carp, I'm turning into me old fella

[ozziecazzie]

We've conceeded 1 goal in 22hrs of Football with the back 5 being Reina/Finnan/Carra/Sami/Riise. That goal being Rio's goal away at OT. So I guess JAR is doing an OK job at LB

 

 

....and if my memory serves me correct, Riise was left mid for this game

[Guest AdamS]

I think he's been outstanding and has really proven his worth this season. He's offering so much going forward and yet very, very rarely is caught out of position. It also helps that Harry is working hard in front of him.

[owenthomas]

i've never been a big fan of Riise - for me he was neither a top left back and he didn't enough quality to be the left winger we needed.. BUT i can't complain - i think he's been brilliant this season when he's played and he's made me eat my words - apologies JAR - you deserve to start each game at left back..

 

[Earl Hafler]

I've always maintained that he was better at left midfield and, up until this season, i think i was right. However, just like last season with Traore and Biscan, Rafa appears to have tapped into previously dormant potential and made a player out of Riise.

He's been our best left back without a shadow of a doubt and i can't think of anyone in the league who's played better in that position, although there maybe one or two challengers to his position in the Team Of The Season.

Previously when played at left back, we would have missed his goals that come from left midfield but now Kewell is on the way back it's not as serious.

An excellent player to have in the squad and i'm no longer worried about playing him at left back, in what is the best defence i've seen in a Liverpool side since the 80's.

[Runehammer]

I wasn't a huge fan of Finnan when he was signed, nor JAR as I didn't believe either were really good enough for Liverpool, but I'm happy to consider myself well and truly proved wrong. I would say that our current back 5 unit is the most consistently solid since the legendary Arsenal one that Wenger inherited.