John Arne Riise biography: Footballer

John Arne Riise biography

Norway Footballer
Date of birth September 24, 1980
Place of birth Ålesund, Norway (It is a sea port, 236 km north north east of Bergen, noted for its unique concentration of Jugendstil architecture (the German name of Art Nouveau).)

Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

Playing position: Left full back, Left midfielder

Number 6

Career

Senior clubs
Club App (Gls)
Aalesunds FK 25 (5)
AS Monaco 44 (4)
Liverpool 204 (21)

National team

Norway 57 (5)

Career honours
AS Monaco
1999-00 French Ligue
2000-01 French Super Cup
Liverpool
Winner
2001-02 Charity Shield
2001-02 European Super Cup
2002-03 League Cup
2004-05 UEFA Champions League
2005-06 European Super Cup
2005-06 FA Cup
2006-07 Community Shield
Runner up
2001-02 FA Premier League
2002-03 Charity Shield
2004-05 League Cup
2005-06 Intercontinental Cup

Formative years
Riise began his career with Aalesunds F.K.. After a single season as senior player for the club, he moved abroad in 1998 and played the formative years of his pro career with French club Monaco. He was a member of the 1999-2000 Ligue 1 championship winning Monaco side. However, the youngster fell out of favour with coach Claude Puel after admitting a desire to leave. Riise was subject of much interest from English Premier clubs, with Blackburn Rovers and Fulham trying to sign him. Leeds Utd were keen, tabling a £4m bid in 2000, though this came to nothing as Monaco wanted £6m for him. Ironically he was then sold to Liverpool for £4m the following summer.

Liverpool under Houllier
Riise became Liverpool's first signing during the 2001 summer, when he moved from Monaco in a £4 million transfer deal. He made a debut for Liverpool in the European Super Cup game against Bayern Munich on August 24, 2001, played at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. He scored a tap in in the first half from a Michael Owen cross. Liverpool went on to win the game 3 - 2, after leading 3 - 0. Riise wore the number 18 shirt, but since the 2004-2005 season he has worn the number 6 shirt, vacated by German defender Markus Babbel.

In his first season with Liverpool, he scored 10 goals in total, an admirable return for a player who played at left full back on many occasions during the season. These included a brilliant solo effort in the Merseyside derby on September 15 at Goodison Park, which helped Liverpool to win the game 3-1. He scored a twenty yard free kick against Manchester Utd on 4 November 2001. The goal was so exceptional Liverpool fans still sing a song about it in his honour, although some fans attribute this to his goal against Everton in the season.

Riise rounded off his first season by scoring two early goals on the last day of the 2001-02 season against Ipswich Town. The goals were important as Liverpool needed to win the match to ensure a second place finish in the Premiership. They went on to do just that with a 5-0 win.

He endured what were considered below average seasons by most in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, but he rediscovered his form in 2004-05 following the appointment of Rafael Benítez as manager.

Liverpool under Benitez
During 2004-05, Riise's achievements include scoring a vital first goal against Charlton at Anfield, an impressive brace against West Brom away, and the fastest goal ever in League Cup final, after just forty five seconds, with a fantastic volley against Chelsea. Liverpool eventually lost the Final 3 - 2 after extra time. Riise was Liverpool's top scorer in Premiership away games in that season.

Riise played in the Champions League final against AC Milan on 25 May 2005 at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. He played an important part in Liverpool's come back in the second half, having been 3 - 0 down in the first, by crossing the ball which was headed into the goal by Steven Gerrard, giving Liverpool some hope. The team went on to score two more goals shortly afterwards and won 3-2 on penalties, though Riise's penalty was saved by AC Milan's goalkeeper Dida.

The 2005–06 season was again successful for Riise, with Liverpool improving in the league and winning the FA Cup. In January Riise signed a new contract at Anfield to keep him at the club until 2009. Throughout the season Riise had many memorable moments. On February 18, 2006, in the last minute of a match against Manchester United, Liverpool were awarded a free kick and Riise duly hit it. Alan Smith, a Manchester Utd player, succeeded in blocking the ball, but immediately went down injured. After five minutes he was stretchered off. It was later found Smith had broken his leg and dislocated his ankle.

During Liverpool's victorious FA Cup run they met Chelsea in the semi final on 22 April 2006. Riise scored Liverpool's opening goal from a free-kick. The shot went through a gap in the Chelsea defenders' wall and straight into the net. Liverpool ended up winning the match 2-1. The final on 13 May was against West Ham. The game finished 3-3 after extra time. Riise netted Liverpool's fourth penalty kick in the shoot out to help guide the Merseysiders to a 7th FA Cup. He was overcome with emotion after scoring as he had missed a penalty in Liverpool's Champions League Final shoot out with AC Milan the previous year.

Riise's pre season form for the 2006–07 season had been worrying with mistakes costing Liverpool goals in their pre season friendlies. However in the season-opening Community Shield game Riise was back on form. Riise scored the first goal of the game against Chelsea. He ran from just outside his own box along the majority of the pitch before shooting past Carlo Cudicini. Liverpool won the match 2 - 1, just as when Riise opened the scoring in the FA Cup semi final. Riise scored yet another wonderful trademark goal, when he let fly from 35 yards against Tottenham Hotspur on the 23rd September 2006. His left footed piledriver flew past the despairing Paul Robinson and thundered into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Liverpool went on to win the game 3-0.

Outside football

Riise has one daughter, Ariana, from a previous marriage with Norwegian model Guri Havnevik. His younger brother, Bjørn Helge Riise, is also a pro footballer.

In February 2007 it was reported Riise was attacked by team mate Craig Bellamy with a golf club during a training session in Portugal, after Riise refused to sing Karaoke with Bellamy. Both players were fined two weeks pay by the team, and manager Rafael Benitez accepted the players' apology. In the first match following the incident, away at Barcelona, Bellamy scored an equalizer before the half time whistle, celebrating by emulating a golf stroke. In an ironic twist of fate, Bellamy set up the winner in that match, assisting none other than John Arne Riise.

On 27 March 2007 Riise was declared bankrupt in Liverpool County Court following a petition on behalf of his former agent Einar Baardsen. He claims Riise owes him £70,000. Conversely, Baardsen himself is bankrupt in Norway and Riise is pursuing the Norwegian administrators for £3million he claims is owed to him by Baardsen.

Misspell

John Arni Rise John Arny Riisy

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