John Arne Riise was a popular figure during his time in Liverpool, but his career on Merseyside ended in tears when he was brutally released by the then manager Rafael Benitez
John Arne Riise remembered that he was reduced to tears after Rafael Benitez had refused him a worthy farewell to Liverpool. The Norwegian, known for its deadly left foot, played for the Reds in the 2000s and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005.
But Riise was destroyed by the abrupt way in which his Anfield career ended in 2008 and admitted that he was crying in his car when he announced that he had no future in the club. Only two games short of making 350 performances, his last match turned out to be the semi-final loss of Champions League for Chelsea.
The former Roma and Fulham defender, now 44, said Betmgms De Line -Up: “I was in training and someone came down and told me that the boss wanted to talk to me. With two more games left of the season, I thought it could be to discuss a new contract.
“He sat down and with absolutely no warning, he told me it was best when we went our own way at the end of the season. I think, with 348 matches for Liverpool for seven seasons, I earned a little explanation.
“I knew that she brought in Andrea Dossena because he had told me, so I had the choice to stay and fight for my place or leave. We all know, however, that when a new player comes in, in principle they can be as bad if they want the first few months, and they still play.”
At 27, Riise knew that he could not afford to be gave birth and made a difficult decision for months. He rejected Benitez’s range of help in finding a new club and was denied an opportunity for a few farewell performances.
Riise, who would come to Roma that summer, added: “He asked if I needed help to find a new club, but I didn’t want his help, so I said no.
He wanted to achieve 350 performances for Liverpool, he asked Benitez to stand up as a sub in the last two games of the season. Riise said, “He replied flat” No, no chance. “
“I told my teammates who, like me, were pretty confused and then I sat down alone in my car and cried. I called my agent, cried to him and he assured me that he would find me a new club for a few days.
“It felt like I had received the bag. I was really disappointed, but the only thing I will say is that I had a huge amount of respect that Rafa told me face-to-face. Although he was brutally honest, he immediately told me.”
The reason behind Benitez’s decision remains a mystery for Riise, who maintains a good relationship with the Spaniard, despite the fact that he never discovered why he was shown the door. He said: “I still don’t know why he wanted me to leave Liverpool. We have a good relationship and I have seen him enough since then, but he never told me why.”
After three years in Italy with Roma, Riise returned to the Premier League with Fulham in 2011 before Proverbs in Cyprus and India. He retired at the age of 36 before he made a short comeback with Avaldsnes in his home country in 2023.
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