EVEN before his calamitous own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final, the shine had begin to fade from the Norwegian.

May 15 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

The shots that would rain down on the goal during the earlier years of his Anfield career instead this season left the supporters in the stands cowering for cover.

By his own admission, Riise struggled for form earlier in the campaign with perhaps only the fragility of Fabio Aurelio saving him from a lengthy spell out of the team.

The own goal at Luton Town in the FA Cup in January was just a rehearsal for the main event three months later. It may well be Riise’s last significant contribution for Liverpool.