Riise said: "It's like watching another version of Stevie Gerrard. He is a great, great player. It's amazing he's only 22-years-old. He may have cost £10 million but he looks worth every penny of that. He had a magnificent match.
" I'd played against Xabi before he joined Liverpool when Spain played Norway in the Euro 2004 play-offs. I hadn't noticed how good he was then, but since he's joined us everyone can see it.
"He deserved his standing ovation when he was taken off. It wasn't just the crowd applauding. I was clapping as well. When a player performs that well, I think it's right he gets that kind of response because he deserves it.
"I think it was probably our best performance of the season so far. When you start well it gives you the momentum to carry it on for the whole game.
"I thought Steve Warnock played really well too. I think we've linked together. He knows when to stay back to allow me to get forward and vice-versa."