“I should have stayed at Liverpool — I broke down in tears when the manager pushed me out.”

 

 

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has spoken candidly about the pain of leaving Anfield and the lingering regret he feels over his 2008 departure. While he never regretted choosing Liverpool over Fulham earlier in his career, walking away from the Reds proved emotionally devastating.

Riise’s two former clubs meet on Sunday as Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage in a key Premier League clash. Although he eventually played for Fulham, his time at Liverpool was far longer and more defining. Early in his career, he had the option to join Fulham instead of the Merseyside giants, but turning down that move remains one of his easiest and happiest decisions.

After later signing for Fulham in 2011, Riise explained that Jean Tigana had wanted to take him from Monaco to west London, but Liverpool’s interest changed everything. As a 20-year-old, the chance to play for Liverpool was impossible to ignore, and he has never regretted that choice given the experiences and matches that followed.

During seven seasons at Anfield, the Norwegian left-back made 348 appearances and collected major honours, including the Champions League triumph in 2005. However, his move to Roma left him with a sense of unfinished business. Writing in his blog in 2015, Riise admitted he should have stayed, believing he could have reclaimed his place from Andrea Dossena.

He revealed that Rafa Benitez informed him of plans to sign a new left-back, meaning he would no longer be first choice. That conversation came just days after Riise’s infamous own goal against Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final, though he insists that mistake was not the deciding factor in Rafa’s thinking.

Riise said he was convinced the own goal did not drive the manager’s decision, even though the incident left him emotionally shattered. He recalled being distraught, isolating himself for days, and feeling he had let down his teammates and supporters. Despite this, he maintained great respect for Benitez, wishing only that the manager had been clearer earlier about what was expected of him to keep his spot.

He added that had he been told directly to raise his level, he would have done everything possible. Riise spoke warmly of Benitez, crediting him with giving him the greatest night of his career in Istanbul, showing faith in him, and playing a crucial role in his development.

The defender also described the emotional moment he was told his Liverpool career was coming to an end. Called in from training for a meeting with Benitez, Riise initially believed it would be about a contract extension, with two games left in the season and a year remaining on his deal. Instead, he was told it was time for both sides to move on.

Benitez explained that Dossena was arriving and that Riise could stay and compete, but chances would be limited for several months. Riise even asked if he could make substitute appearances in the final two matches to reach 350 games, but that request was denied.

After breaking the news to his teammates, Riise left the training ground in tears, later calling his agent in shock. After seven seasons and countless memories, the sudden end was overwhelming, though his agent reassured him that a new club would soon be found.