John Arne Riise

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.

Biography

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 it 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 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. Liverpool won the game 3-1. He also scored a thunderbolt 20-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.

Riise rounded off his first season by scoring two early goals on the last day of the 2001-02 season against Ipswich Town. Whilst the goals were of doubtless quality, they were also 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 45 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. His great cross was headed in 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.

Riise has also captured the media's attention outside the pitch. In August 2005 Norwegian tabloid newspapers revealed that Riise had sent numerous SMS to different Norwegian celebrity women with the exact same text (translated from Norwegian): "Good evening... After a lot of calling to all kinds of contacts, I finally got your number. I have always thought you are very charming, cute, sexy, fantastic aura, and last but not least, you seem exciting and challenging;) hope we can get in touch, and I will of course invite you on a romantic dinner for two;) kiss from John Arne Riise xxx". This turned into a big case in the media and gave most Norwegians a good laugh. Riise has later stated that he doesn't want to discuss any issues but football with the press and that he's going to boycott the Norwegian tabloids VG and Dagbladet. The text was later parodized in the comic strip M in a way that could be seen as a friendly stab at Frode Øverli and Pondus (both of which are avid Liverpool-supporters). This caused the two comics to make strips about each other for some time.

Riise has signed a new contract at Anfield which will keep him at the club until 2009. ^*

He has one daughter Ariana from his previous marriage with Norwegian model Guri Havnevik.

Memorable Moments

Some of his other more memorable moments include:

February 18 2006 vs. Manchester United. During the last minute of normal time Liverpool were awarded a free kick and Riise duly hit it. Alan Smith, a Man Utd player, succeeded in blocking the ball. After 5 minutes he was stretchered off and 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."

22 April 2006 vs. Chelsea. Riise scored Liverpool's opening goal from a free-kick in the FA Cup Semi-Final. The shot went through a gap in the Chelsea defenders' wall and straight into the net. Liverpool ended up winning the match 2-1.

13 May 2006 vs. West Ham United. Riise netted Liverpool's fourth penalty-kick in the FA Cup Final 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.

Statistics

**Club Performance**
Club	Season	Premiership		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Others		Total
Club	Season	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Liverpool FC	2005-06	32	1	6	3			12		2		52	4
	2004-05	37	6			5	1	15	1			57	8
	2003-04	28		1		2		4				35	0
	2002-03	37	6	3		4		11		1		56	6
	2001-02	38	7	2				15	1	1		56	8
Club	Season	Ligue 1		French Cup		Ligue Cup		Europe		Others		Total
Club	Season	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
AS Monaco FC	2000-01	16	3			2		2				20	3
	1999-00	21	1					6	1			27	2
	1998-99	7						1				8	0
Club	Season	Norwegian Division 1		NM-Cup		-		Europe		Others		Total
Club	Season	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Aalesunds FK	1998	17	4	?	?	-	-					17	4
Aalesunds FK	1997	8	1	?	?	-	-					8	1
Total		241	29	12	3	13	1	66	3	4	0	336	36

Career Honours

Honours As Player

AS Monaco

Winner

1999-00 French Ligue 1
2000-01 French Super Cup

Liverpool