John Arne Riise Biography
John Arne Semundseth Riise (born September 24, 1980 in Molde) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C. Riise is renowned for his shooting power on his favoured left foot and excellent stamina.He made his 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 initially wore the number 18 shirt, but since the 2004-2005 season he has worn the number 6 shirt, vacated by Markus Babbel.
In his first season with Liverpool he scored ten 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 also scored a twenty yard free-kick against Manchester United on 4 November 2001. The goal was so exceptional that Liverpool fans still sing a song about it in his honour, although some fans attribute this to his goal against Everton earlier 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. During 2004-05, Riise's achievements include scoring a vital first goal against Charlton at Anfield, an impressive brace against West Bromwich Albion 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 A.C. Milan on 25 May 2005 at the Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadyumu 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 A.C. 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 [1]. 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 Man Utd player, succeeded in blocking the ball, but immediately went down injured. After five minutes he was stretchered off. It was later found that Smith had dislocated and broken his ankle. Before being stretchered off Liverpool fans chanted to Riise "John Arne Riise, I wanna know [carry on the syllable] how you broke his leg". Once the severity of the injury became apparent Smith received a standing ovation from both home and away supporters. Smith later said, "After the hit, my toe was pointing in the other direction."
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 their 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.