The Daily Telegraph reported last week that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may be looking to sell Mohammed Sissoko, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch in order to raise money to sign Javier Mascherano on a permanent deal in the summer.
John Arne Riise – would Benetez let him go in January?
As is usual at Newcastle, speculation is that maybe Sam would want to bring John Arne Riise to the club in January, to solve our left back situation. Yes, we bought Jose Enrique in the summer for £6.3M, but Sam for some reason isn’t playing the Spaniard in that position. We don’t know exactly why that’s the case because even on Wednesday night Jose looked very ready to play for the club.
But if a new left-back could be brought in to hold the position, then that would free Charles N’Zogbia to pursue a more up-field attacking position in the team, which he is obviously best at.
Liverpool also have Steve Finnan, who may be available, and Steve can play in either full back position, so it may be that Sam will try to raid Liverpool for an experienced defender. Sir Bobby Robson was interested in bringing Finnan to Newcastle, when Steve played for Fulham in 2002.
Riise of course has massive experience in both the Premier League and Europe, and has played 221 times for Liverpool scoring 21 goals. He has also played 68 games for his country, Norway, scoring 7 goals. Riise can also play on the left wing of course, and has a tremendous left foot.
What do you think? If Liverpool will sell Riise, would he be a good buy for Newcastle?
Let us know – comments welcome.
38 comments so far
geordie_jordan
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Comment #1amazing buy if we can get him. but my verdict is more tabloid trash… no way rafa sells him, and even if he wanted to sell, no way sam has the kind of money available to buy what riise would cost.
Mehzeb
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Comment #2Riise and Finnan… yeah, that would work out nicely, indeed.
But even if we don’t get Finnan, we should definitely go for Riise, as he has alot to offer to our squad.
Hope Sam picks up on this, and we get to sign him soon.
Come on, Magpies!
zzz
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Comment #3i wonder how smith will react if he joins us
lol
Mehzeb
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Comment #4geordie_jordan, there may be some truth in the tabloids. As we have seen from recent weeks, Riise is not preferred by Benitez when Arbeloa is fit, and even Auerelio has played at the Left-Back position instead of Riise, even when the Norwegian was sitting idly on the bench.
So, Riise may indeed be up for sale. Question is, would we be able to afford him…
Jameso
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #5buy sissoko ,risse, ashton and a attacking midfielder
Mac
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #6Not Sissoko please he’s got to be one of the worst prem players i hae ever seen
SPOT THE ZEBRA
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #7Riise would be a good signing but its all down to how much Sam will be allowed to spend.If you look at the players we will be without during the African Nations they are right footed apart from forward Martins.We seem to be okay on the left currently so maybe strengthening here isnt our priority.
smc894
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #8Riise would be a brilliant buy. Definitely one of the first class LB’s in the league. Break the bank and grab him while we can
smc894
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Comment #9Freeing Zog to move up into a midfield should be a priority, it seems odd that the most threating plays we can muster of late have come from him coming forward from LB, no?
SPOT THE ZEBRA
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Comment #10Buying Sissoko would be helping Liverpool more than it would us ! We already have defensive midfielders so id rather move for Arshavin.
Its all down to how much we have to spend but remember we will only have Stephen Carr as right back when Beye and Geremi leave next week.Surely this has to be priority over left back !
GlennOZ
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #11YES, YES, YES!!!!
LET’S STEAL HIM AWAY TO NEWCASTLE!!!
NUFC RESERVES
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Comment #12SOMETIMES I WONDER IF WE SHOULD PLAY THE RESERVE TEAM INSTEAD OF THE FIRST TEAM!!! THEY MIGHT GIVE THE BIG BOYS A SHAKE UP!!!!
HAPPY B’DAY TO ME~!!!!!
HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!
Dragoner
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Comment #13yeah lets buy a player who has given his best years to Liverpool so we could have him when he is declining…..NO
Leo
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Comment #14riise still has lots to offer defo would bite off liverpools hands to try and sign him…
why would smith love that… am i missing something???
StevieA
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #15You know Riise used to play a lot in midfield. I just wonder if Sam has that in mind, so ideally he would be in the left back position for a few years. Then maybe once Enrique becomes a 1st team regular you might see Riise on the wing or centre midfield.
I think Riise would be a fantastic addition if we can get him.
Steeley
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #16Dragoner – he’s only 27! He has plenty of life left in him yet (his “best years” as well by all accounts).
I’m more concerned that we appear to be scouting for a first-team LB when Enrique is sat on the bench now….what the hell is wrong with him Fat Sam?? He played bloody well the other day when he came on! Is it more Fat Sam stubborn-ness, or is this one of Fat Sam’s self-proclaimed “second choice” signings?? Round of applause for Sam for saying that by the way….what a great inspirer of people he is!! NOT!!
Dragoner
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #17Regardless of his age, anyone who has watched him over the last few years can see he is not as good as he was a couple years back.
stroke the mole
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Comment #18riise broke smiths leg i think he would be great addition to are squad and badly needed at that !!!!!!!
scott9
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Comment #19i dont think we will get risse
anyway i would sign
arshevin
maniche
brown
tiago
i also think dave kitson would be a good signing
Tom_Toon
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Comment #20dragoner i agree with you. He isnt that decent anymore.
Scott – Dave Kitson would be good back-up
Graeme
Jan 6, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Comment #21Areshvin or Julio Baptista??? Baptista has shown he can play in the Prem with no problem!!! He is a hell of a player and would be a good signing.
Riise is a very capable and versatile defender. If the price is right, he would be a very good addition to the club.
Midjew
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #22Riise is BRILLIANT GET HIM NOW. but lets face it we wont go for him cos that would be a GOOD choice.
UTD111
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Comment #23We’ve got no chance of Riise – No way will they let him go……
Darryl money
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Comment #24Still only 27… Would be interesting, he would improve our back line.
Greg B
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Comment #25Aye, and id be surprised if he’d want to come to the Toon anyway……
arctoa
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Comment #26He hasn’t been playing as well in the last few seasons because he hasn’t been getting a consistent run of games, and he appears to be one who sulks a bit when things don’t go his way. All the same, he’s a damn fine player who can play well in a number of positions, and seeing as we only have one left-back on the books I think he would be a decent signing.
I think he’s had a fair few injuries recently, too, so in that respect he’s a perfect candidate. :\
Can’t see it happening, though. Why would he move here?
Greg B
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comment #27Just reading City and Smogs looking at Afonso Alves of Heerenveen – he bagged 35 goals in 31 games last season and is fully capped for Brazil (Ok so there are very few Brazilian footballers who arent capped 🙂 that Pitbull bloke isnt tho).
Also would seem Lukas Podolski could be available too, City also looking at him.
It shows how far down the pecking order we have become when we are linked with either unknown donkeys or players who struggle to get a game for the Prem club – why arent we going for the likes of Podolski, Alves, Alan Hutton even? All decent players who are supposedly available………
Greg B
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Comment #28Oh and the lad Castillo who City signed on loan, moved to Shahktar (sp?) for over £10mil in the summer, starred at the Copa America and by all accounts Allardyce has either never heard of him or dosent rate him… another bloody good player seemingly available for transfer.
Pete
Jan 6, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Comment #29God no.. This guy is overrated, there is a reason L’pool is looking to get rid of him.
Drooling over every Top 4 reject sickens me to be honest. Even though they have played in these clubs doesn’t necessarily mean they are fantastic players.
scott9
Jan 6, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Comment #30dave kitson scores his goals and is a good target man i think he would be a good buy hell put 100% in every game aswell unlike viduka.
SICK OF YOU
Jan 6, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Comment #31I’M SICK OF ALL THIS SPECULATIONS AND ALL THE “JOYFUL” EXPECTATIONS ON THIS BLOG!
Toon Al
Jan 6, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Comment #32what do you lads think about silvestre? now that bartons goin to prison (more than likely) we’ll certianly cnacel his contract, apparently the only reason he didnt come is coz of barton in the summer, even dabo said for him to go, but he ws havin none of it
he had a class couple seasons at leftback and is equally reliable at centre half
any takers?
and pete, if you’d rather we went for players from lower positions, lower league or foreign players who will take time to adapt i dont really see the point when these players have already proven themselves
Tom_Toon
Jan 6, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Comment #33Silvestre is rubbish and very very injury prone, id rather keep barton if it means sylvestre wont come.
Leo
Jan 6, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Comment #34ah he broke his leg, with his shot though, not done in malace
Zero Cool
Jan 6, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Comment #35I’d fancy a bid for Riise. He’s battle tested, from 1 of the top 4. If we could sign Riise, Wes Brown, and Peter Crouch/Arshavin I’d consider it a very successful transfer window. Our back 4 and our strikers need revamping. Our Midfield, in my opinion is fine.
john
Jan 6, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Comment #36is tom toon really alardyce. WHAT A SAD PRICK
Len
Jan 7, 2008 at 3:23 AM
Comment #37BS 5 year plan. Bank 3 million a year for 5 years. Retire. I want to see progress with what we have, its a good squad. Opportunities for the U21s. And direction with the signings.
ADAM
Jan 7, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Comment #38JOHN ARNE RIISE WOULD BE A FANTASTIC SIGNING