Liverpool Could Really Use John Arne Riise on the Left Flank

After watching Denmark take on Norway in a recent 2012 European Championship qualifying match, I was struck by how effective John Arne Riise was for the Norwegian team. At 30 years old, Riise doesn't have the explosive pace that he used to but he dominated that left side the entire game.

Liverpool parted ways with the left-back in the summer of 2008 after Fabio Aurelio had emerged as first choice and Andrea Dossena joined the club from Udinese. It was a successful season for the Reds as they pushed Manchester United to within an inch of the Premier League title.

In the following seasons since, Emiliano Insúa, Álvaro Arbeloa and Philipp Degen have rotated in and out of the left-back position without any of them really making it their own.

This season the emergence of Martin Kelly has pushed Glen Johnson over to the left and everything seemed to be going swimmingly until Kelly's injury at West Ham and the subsequent defensive crisis we have seen engulf Anfield in the past week.

Rafa Benitez chose to omit the fiery Norwegian for intense tactical encounters where defensive discipline was paramount but Riise's ability to get forward brought an entirely different dimension to Liverpool's left flank. His left foot was in direct competition with Steven Gerrard's right boot for hardest hammer at Anfield.

Riise's goals were many and spectacular for Liverpool, such as his spectacular free-kick against Manchester United in 2001 or breaking out on the counter-attack against Chelsea in the 2006 Community Shield.

When overlapping on the left side Riise helped Liverpool fans forget momentarily that they haven't had a proper left-winger since John Barnes.

Unfortunately,with a rocket-launcher strapped to your left foot, there's bound to be a lack of balance, and Riise was notorious for avoiding the use of his right at any cost. His own-goal against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League semi-final came as a result of Riise attempting to head the ball instead of clearing with his right foot.

He was mercilessly mocked by the Jose Mourinho puppet on "I'm On Setanta Sports" for this debacle.

Looking at Liverpool's squad, it is apparent that Riise may not crack the starting 11 anymore but his presence would be welcomed for times like today where Liverpool have no recognized left-back.

His availability from the bench would also serve to light a fire under Glen Johnson and encourage him to perform at his best. Finally he has retained the ability to launch throw-ins into the six-yard box which would only serve to benefit the likes of Andy Carroll.

Affectionately known as "Ginger" to many including Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise gave a stalwart service to Liverpool during his seven year stint at the club. He'd be welcomed back with open arms, but AS Roma is unlikely to part with an established member of their first-team anytime soon.