We must Riise to challenge
Aug 28 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
JOHN ARNE RIISE today spoke of the need for Liverpool to stop relying on their Scouse superstars if they are to achieve Premier League and European success this season.
Riise was heartened by the way the team coped with the setback of missing Steven Gerrard and then losing Jamie Carragher during the 2-0 win at Sunderland.
And both will also be missing tonight as Liverpool defend their 1-0 lead over Toulouse in the Champions League qualifier.
In the past, the duo have been the foundation for every major Anfield triumph, but Riise accepts the time has come for all the players to show Liverpool can cope in their absence.
âWe know theyâre two very important players for us,â said Riise. âI donât know how long weâll be without them, but obviously weâll miss them if theyâre not available.
âBut this is exactly why we have a big squad and we all know we need to cope with these kinds of setbacks.
âSometimes your best players arenât available and others have to do a good job.
âIf thatâs the case now, itâs about all of us responding the best possible way.
âWe proved against Sunderland we can do it. Itâs a battle when you go to places like that, especially without Stevie and Carra for the last 20 minutes, but we came through it.
âIn these circumstances, itâs better to focus on who is playing and not to think about who isnât.
âThereâs nothing we can do about it if a player is injured. Itâs a big blow, we know that, but thatâs football.â
Liverpool know they need to be careful as they protect a slender lead against the French, who may be buoyed by the absenteeism in the Anfield ranks.
After suffering home defeats at this stage in the past, Riise knows a result canât be taken for granted.
âWe have to be careful because this is a massive game for Toulouse,â he said. âWe wonât take it easy because 1-0 is not game over at all. If they score first, it changes everything.
âEveryone knows how important it is for us to get into the Champions League but I expect them to come here and have a real go. Hopefully we can kill them off sooner rather than later.â
Sami Hyypia will skipper the side tonight, while Peter Crouch is set to start up front.
âIt will be a dangerous game,â said manager Rafa Benitez. âTo lead 1-0 is a fantastic situation but not necessarily the best score because people may think it will be easy, but we know thatâs not the case. The players must be careful.â
Looks like Riise is talking himself into the starting eleven!!
Bit off topic but does anyone know when we will play our odd game in prem to show a more accurate league postition.
I have looked at the fixture list but can't make out when we will catch up.
Any ideas out there?
Logged