FAREWELL RIISE

It's a real shame the Chelsa oggy happened for John. It seems to have clouded a long time of good service for us with some people with short memories.
I've been one of his biggest critics in the last three years, but there's no denying he was one of the best left backs in the Prem for a good few years.
From 2001-2004/5ish, he was a consistent performer. Solid at the back, good in the air, got forward a lot and weighed in with his fare share of goals.
And when they came they were humdingers. Man Utd when he ripped the net out. Chelsea semi final at Old Trafford. Charity Shield against Chelsea. Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final. Tottenham at home. There were others I've forgotten.

And at his best, he was a good, solid defender. The unit of him, Hyppia and Henchoz and whichever right back played, Babel for a time, was the best in the Premiership.
He regulalry did interviews, always spoke good of the club, and the Bellamy incident aside, was never a headache for the manager.
I can say without hesitation that he had a lot of genuine affection for Liverpool and Merseyside.
Away at Arsenal! Two thirds the length of the field and ramming it in the bottom corner. There's another. Keep 'em coming.
He was tenacious, pretty tough and he gave both the right sided midfielder and the right full back plenty to worry about.
In the last few years, he's dropped off. The goals dried up, I lost count of the number of free kicks hit the bottom of the wall and he started to get caught out of position defensively.
One of the things that frustrated me about Riise was that he was SO left footed. Most players have some semblance of a second foot, but he could barely stand on his right. (hence the oggy, he didn't want to use his right so headed it)
It seemed he could only really run in one direction and changing direction quickly as you need to do regularly in modern football just wasn't going to happen. That hampered him big time.

But, these were just deficiencies in his ability, not a reflection on his attitude and commitment. That was never in doubt with John.
For that, he's been a loyal servant and a player we should always take our hats off to and applaud loudly if Roma ever come to Anfield again for their now presumed English Euro beating.
Some of the stick he took after THAT own goal was nothing short of disgraceful.
The stuff I read from supposed fans isn't worth repeating. People have short memories. He didn't oggy on purpose. Yes, he was clumsy and a great bloody oaf, and we really paid for it, but I'll never put the boot in like some did.
He barely spoke to his teammates after it happened, that's how mortified he was. Yet, we still read 'Judas Riise' threads banging on about him swapping shirts with Rooney at the end of the Man Utd. How precious people can get.
Who gives a toss whose shirt he gets?
As it stands, we've got £4m for him and Roma will get a half decent, but limited player. I think they'll be a little surprised that he's not exactly what they think he is.
It always surprised me when I talked to other Premiership fans who waxed lyrical about Riise. Nah mate, you're just remembering a packaged highlight of goals from Match of the Days over the last five years.
Let's end with a famous Riise image. Was this after the Mancs goal? He always seemed a bit too skinny to be baring his chest like this.

I wish him well, and I'm sure thousands will so the same. Thanks for all that you've done for the Reds John.
You're attitude was always spot on and you were professional to the last.

Let's hear some of your thoughts/memories of Riise over the years.

NB - Here's some thoughts from Roma fans on their latest signing:

http://roma.theoffside.com/team-news/ladies-gents-your-new-left-back.html

Read another Icliverpool blogger's view of the Riise exit, Dan Kay's verdict at: