The former Liverpool defender opened up on his emotional exit from Anfield and his regret over leaving the Reds in 2008
John Arne Riise has no regrets about choosing Liverpool over Fulham, though leaving Anfield in 2008 left him heartbroken. The Norwegian's two former sides meet on Sunday when the Reds head to Craven Cottage for a crucial Premier League encounter.
Riise enjoyed a far lengthier spell at Anfield than he did with Fulham and initially had the chance to reject the former league champions in favour of a move to west London. Yet the defender turned down this opportunity to sign for Liverpool and confesses he was delighted he did.
Speaking after eventually 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."
Throughout his Liverpool career, the left-back made 348 appearances and won many major trophies, including the Champions League during the 2004/05 campaign.
He ultimately departed for Roma following seven seasons with the Reds, a decision he came to regret. Reflecting on the transfer in his personal blog back 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 former manager Rafa Benitez informed him of Liverpool's plans to bring in a new left-back, which would see him lose his first-choice position. This conversation took place just days after Riise's infamous own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.
However, the ex-Liverpool player doesn't think this blunder was the catalyst for his demotion and subsequent transfer. Riise said: "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 departure from Liverpool was also filled with emotion, as he told talkSPORT how he was brought in for the pivotal discussion. 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.
"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.'"