The former Liverpool left-back spent seven years at Anfield and made 348 appearances on Merseyside, winning seven major honours
John Arne Riise of Liverpool shows his dejection after scoring an own goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, first leg match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 22, 2008 in Liverpool, England.
John Arne Riise had a lot of emotional moments at Liverpool(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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John Arne Riise didn't regret joining Liverpool over Fulham but was emotional after leaving Anfield in 2008. Two of the Norwegian's former clubs will face off on Sunday as the Reds travel to Craven Cottage for an important Premier League clash.
Riise spent a lot more time at Anfield than he did with Fulham and even had the opportunity to snub the former league champions to move to west London. However, the defender opted this chance to join Liverpool and admits he was glad he did.
Speaking after finally joining Fulham in 2011, Riise said: "Jean Tigana brought me to Monaco and then he wanted to bring me to Fulham.
"I was very close to signing, but I ended up with Liverpool and I do not regret my decision there because what I've experienced and the games I played in. When you're 20 years old and Liverpool want you to play for them, it's quite an easy decision there and then."
During his time at Liverpool, the left-back made 348 appearances and won several major honours, including the Champions League in the 2004/05 season.
He eventually made a move to Roma after seven seasons with the Reds, something that he regretted. Discussing the switch in his personal blog in 2015, Riise said: "I must admit that I should have stayed. [..] because I know I would have taken the place from [Andrea] Dossena."
Riise revealed that the then-manager Rafa Benitez had told him that the club were going to sign a new left-back, meaning he would no longer be first-choice. This discussion coincidentally took place days after Riise's infamous own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.
John Arne Riise of Liverpool celebrates after Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League Final match between AC Milan and Liverpool at Ataturk Stadium on May 25, 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Norwegian was extremely successful on Merseyside(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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But the former Red didn't believe this mistake was his downfall. Riise added: "I honestly think that the own goal didn’t affect Rafa’s decision.
"Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m 100% sure that the own goal wasn’t the main reason. Yes, I was devastated about the own goal, I was crying at home and I didn’t talk to anyone for days. I knew I let all my teammates down and especially the fans.
"I left the office with a lot of respect for Rafa. The only thing I wish he did earlier was telling me how I stood within the team, and what I needed to do to remain first choice.
"If he as my manager told me I needed to step it up, I would have done everything in my power to do so. I was blind and didn’t see it. But I love Rafa, he gave me the best night of my life in Istanbul, he showed me a lot of confidence in my time with him. I learned so much from him. He was a great manager for me and my career."
Riise's Liverpool exit was also a moment full of emotion as he told talkSPORT how he handed his Merseyside departure. He said: "I was in training and someone came and called down to the dressing room to say the boss wants to talk to you.
John Arne Riise of Fulham crosses the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on August 13, 2011 in London, England.
Riise did eventually play for Fulham after his Liverpool exit
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(Image: Ian Walton/Getty Images)
"We had two games left of the season and I had one year left, so I thought it was a contract extension. I sat down and I had no idea. He said ‘I think it’s time for us to go our separate ways’. I’m thinking I’ve been here for seven seasons and won everything so why?
"I knew there were stories that we were signing a new left back and he told me that Andrea Dossena was coming. He gave me the choice that I could stay and fight. But the new player coming in, I’m not going to get a chance for four or five months.
"I asked him that I’ve got 348 games, can I come on as a sub in the last two to get 350. No chance. I went to the dressing room and the guys asked me what happened and I said, ‘I’m done’.
"I went to the car, cried a little bit by myself. Called my agent, cried to him. It was such a shock as I’d been there for seven seasons. My agent said, 'Don’t worry, we’ll have a new club for you in a few days.'"